Bruins stun champions with series sweep
NBL
London Mets v Sheffield Bruins
Sheffield Bruins ended the London Mets’ five-game winning streak with a two-game series sweep over the reigning champions in the BBF National Baseball League at Thorpe Green Park.
Sheffield Bruins celebrate their stunning victories over champions London Mets
Photography : Tim French
The Bruins’ first NBL victories of the season ended their five-game losing streak and moved them away from the foot of the table.
Ten-time British baseball champions Mets lost to the Bruins for the first time in their history after winning each of the 11 previous games between the sides.
The side from the capital took a slim 3-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning in game one thanks to runs from Marc Theberge, Joshua Barrett, and Callum Vinall.
Pitcher Ray Sass tied the game up, before right-fielder Lewis Frometa scored to help his team regain the lead for the first time since the second inning.
The Bruins’ Ray Sass who tied up game one before returning to the mound to strike out three Mets batters
Photography : Jody Demay-Davies
Sass returned to the mound and struck out all three Mets batters at the top of the final inning to record the first save of the NBL season and hand his team a narrow 4-3 victory.
The South Yorkshire team’s form spilt over into game two where they scored at least one run in all seven innings to amass their highest single-game run total of the season in an eventual 11-8 win.
Keanu Stoltz starred offensively for the Bruins. He scored three runs, including one home run, and batted in a further three across the series.
Bruins manager Charlie Batho was delighted to see his team end their losing streak. He said: “I’m proud to see us get over line for the first time this season.
“We fought very hard today and we get our rewards. Hopefully now we can live up to our ambitions through the heart of the summer.”
Mets manager Derrick Cook spoke of his team’s frustrations offensively: “We struggled hitting in key situations this week. Some costly errors hurt us as well.
“We didn't play Mets baseball this weekend.
“We will get better, but hats off to Sheffield for playing hard and winning.”
BC Vetra v Bournemouth Bears
BC Vetra swept Bouremouth Bears 10-5 and 14-1 in a two-game series at Ferndown Leisure Centre.
First baseman Tadas Sarakojis and Pitcher Matas Sirgedas both scored home runs.
All but one of Vetra’s four NBL wins this year have come against the south coast side.
BC Vetra manager Tadas Sarakojis said: “We knew it would be a series, but I'm very happy with today's performance.
“In both games we performed well offensively and had a lot of hits”
BBF AAA
New Forest Thunder 1-8 & 4-2 Cardiff Merlins (AAA) - game rained out after four innings
Richmond Roebucks 8-6 & 18-5 London Metros
Cambridge Lancers 0-12 & 0-14 Croydon Pirates (AAA)
Hurricanes Baseball 5-6 & 0-10 Herts Cardinals
BBF/BBL Higher
Sheffield Kodiaks 8-16 & 11-16 Long Eaton Storm
Liverpool Trojans 14-9 & 10-7 Manchester A's
BBF AA
Oxford Kings 6-4 & 1-7 Bristol Bats
Bournemouth Bears (2) 10-12 & 5-3 Guildford Mavericks
Essex Archers 12-2 & 11-10 Herts Hawks
Formosa Islanders 2-8 & 0-13 London Meteors
Richmond Dragons 1-4 & 5-20 London Sidewinders
London Mustangs 16-6 & 5-6 Richmond Knights
BBF A
London Mercury 12-2 & 9-4 Richmond Barons
Guildford Millers 13-11 & 19-6 Brighton Jets
New Forest Knights 7-8 & 7-9 Bristol Brunels
Bristol Brunels celebrate their sweep of New Forest Knights
Photography : Laura Wehner
Bristol Buccaneers 12-14 & 20-10 Cardiff Merlins (A)
Cornish Claycutters 9-4 & 30-6 Cornish Pioneers
Essex Redbacks 2-12 & 6-12 Milton Keynes Bucks (2)
Bournemouth Bears (3) 9-17 & 9-10 Taunton Pistols
Kent Mariners 4-10 & 6-7 Tonbridge Bobcats
Taunton Muskets 8-4 & 4-7 Weston Jets
Herts Eagles 11-14 & 17-7 Richmond Dukes
BBF/BBL Lower
Sheffield Bladerunners (1) 13-14 & 11-16 Bootle Trojans
Halton Trojans 5-19 & 10-22 Leeds Locos
Manchester Bees 5-13 & 18-19 Wragby Warhammers
Hull Scorpions 6-4 & 15-1 Sheffield Bladerunners (2)
East Of England Baseball League
Cambridge Royals 18-6 & 20-10 Norwich Warriors
Cambridge Monarchs 8-9 & 5-17 Harwich Town Bay Area Blues
Canal League
Suez Tomb Raiders 12-8 London Mayhem
London Mayhem 9-7 Limehouse Cutters
Limehouse Cutters 9-10 Suez Tomb Raiders
Match report by Michael Thomas
