London Mets miss out in Europe after walk-off defeat

Ten-time British baseball champions London Mets' third consecutive defeat in Zürich, Switzerland confirmed their elimination from the 2024 WBSC Baseball European Federation Cup.

The Mets have one more round-robin match to play against Zürich Barracudas on Friday, but they can no longer mathematically make the final and thus will miss out on qualification for the WBSC Baseball European Cup

A walk-off single from Rättviks BSK second baseman Benjamin Johnson which drove home Elias Nordsell sealed the Londoner's fate and ensured that the Swedish club would make the final following their 3-2 win.

The London Mets ‘ Ryan McLaughlin was excellent in his seven-inning stint on the mound.

Picture : Jody Demay-Davies

“It was a close game from first pitch to the last pitch against Sweden. Pitching was strong and the bats came through for us in a few key situations, but in the end it wasn’t enough,” said the Mets’ Ryan McLaughlin.

London Mets lost their opening two matches of the tournament against Belgium’s Hoboken Pioneers and Ireland’s Mariners 8-3 and 6-1 respectively and came into the match with an unbeaten Rättviks side as clear underdogs.

Despite this, they took the lead at the top of the third inning through a Jamie Dix run after Rättviks catcher Nordsell failed to hold onto a Joel Johnson pitch.

The Swedes quickly overturned the deficit thanks to a two-RBI double into centre field from shortstop Daniel Johnson which brought home right fielder Albin Käck and pitcher Johnson.

Parity was restored at the top of the sixth inning when Mets’ tournament RBI leader Sean Gondobintoro singled up the middle to drive in left fielder Zach Stroman and give his team hope of winning their first game in Zürich.

With two outs at the bottom of the ninth inning and the game tied at 2-2, it looked destined to go to an extra inning. That is before Benjamin Johnson’s RBI single settled the affair.

The 3-2 defeat was the Mets' closest of the competition and they can be proud of their improvements against high-flying Rättviks.

Pitcher Ryan McLaughlin was excellent in his seven-inning stint on the mound. He allowed only one earned run and one walk, whilst punching out six batters.

The Mets face a Zürich Barracudas side on Friday who are also without a win in the tournament in what could be a consolation game for both before they exit the tournament.

Rättviks play Hoboken Pioneers on Thursday in a battle of the tournament’s only two undefeated sides. That fixture will likely be a precursor of the European Federation Cup final on Saturday.

Match Report - Michael Thomas