Bruins’ bats run riot against Bears in second game to split series
BBF NBL
Sheffield Bruins @ Bournemouth Bears
Sheffield Bruins bounced back from defeat in the first of their double-header to thrash Bournemouth Bears at Ferndown Leisure Centre.
Both sides entered the weekend as the two lowest-ranked teams in the National Baseball League, and after splitting their two-game series, the table remained unchanged.
The Yorkshire side got off to a fantastic start in the first matchup after scoring in each of their first three innings to go 4-0, helped by a two RBI home run from catcher Manuel Silvestre.
Bruins catcher Manuel Silvestre hit two home runs in Bournemouth on Sunday
Picture : Tim French
This is where the scoring ended for the northerners. Immediately, at the bottom of the third inning, designated hitter Daniel Myrmell did one better than Silvestre to drive home himself and two more with a home run deep into left field.
A four-run fifth inning helped the South Coast team take the lead before adding a further two insurance runs in the following inning to win the match 9-4.
The Bruins were left to rue missed opportunities with players on base. They fell five runs short of their opponents despite out-hitting them 12-10.
Game two was quite the opposite for Sheffield’s batting order, they were ruthless at the plate and scored a huge 20 runs from 15 hits.
Silvestre recorded his second home run of the series off pitcher Carus Velazco on a full count directly after pitcher Ray Sass scored a leadoff home run in the second inning
Shortstop Keanu Stoltz’s grand slam which drove home Sass, Silvestre, and Daniel Moran drew a close to his team’s incredible 11-run inning.
Four more runs in the final inning helped the Bruins take revenge with a 20-0 victory.
Safe or out? Action from the Bruins and Bears NBL game on Sunday
Picture : Tim French
Despite starring offensively after going four for four at the plate with one walk; Sass was strong defensively too, allowing no runs and just three hits in his four innings on the mound.
Bruins manager Charlie Batho shared his thoughts on his team’s eventful series. He said: “Today, we probably showcased our highest and lowest level of play, cutting out a few lows would make us very dangerous down the stretch.
“We look forward to having two games in seven days to build on a weekend with a lot of positives.”
Thorpe Green Park in Sheffield will play host to a repeat of this series next Sunday as both teams have another opportunity to distance themselves from the lower end of the division.
Picture : Tim French
BBF AAA
Bristol Badgers 3-4 & 6-5 & 4-4 Bracknell Inferno
Hurricanes Baseball 0-7(Forfeit) & 0-7(Forfeit) Cambridge Lancers
New Forest Thunder 0-7(Forfeit) & 0-7(Forfeit) Cardiff Merlins (AAA)
Essex Saxons 9-2 & 1-2 Herts Cardinals
BBF AA
Kent Buccaneers 6-12 & 4-7 Brighton Brewers
Milton Keynes Bucks 9-3 & 3-2 Essex Archers
London Sidewinders 7-0 & 5-5 Formosa Islanders
Bourenmouth Bears 16-4 & 13-14 Guildford Mavericks
Richmond Knights 3-11 & 1-4 London Meteors
Bristol Bats 7-6 Oxford Kings
London Mustangs 14-15 & 5-17 Richmond Dragons
Brighton Aces 9-8 & 3-13 Tonbridge Wildcats
BBF A
Herts Eagles 10-17 & 6-12 London Minotaurs
Bracknell Phoenix 5-6 & 14-3 Hurricanes Baseball (2)
Taunton Pistols 14-15 & 22-15 Cornish Pioneers
Richmond Dukes 3-13 & 5-15 Croydon Pirates (A)
Guildford Millers 15-4 & 15-6 Hastings Pirates
Tonbridge Bobcats 15-14 & 3-11 Kent Mariners
Herts Buzzards 11-15 & 10-18 Milton Keynes Bucks (2)
Bristol Buccaneers 16-17 & 17-5 New Forest Knights
Bristol Brunels 0-13 & 4-8 Taunton Muskets
Bournemouth Bears (3) 0-15 & 9-16 Weston Jets
Richmond Barons 4-5 & 6-10 London Mercury
BBF WBL
Leicester Diamonds 10-3 Norwich Iceni Queens
SWWBL Serpents 0-9 London Mayhem
Belles Baseball 1-9 Sheffield Bruins
London Mayhem 4-6 Belles Baseball
Sheffield Bruins 13-6 SWWBL Serpents
BBF/East of England Baseball League
Harwich Town Bay Area Blues 3-10 & 3-8 Cambridge Royals
Northants Centurions 6-13 & 13-10 Norwich Warriors
Match report : Michael Thomas
