Week Two Round Up - London Capitals Sweep Sheffield Bruins in two-game series

Last season’s British Baseball Federation National Baseball League runners-up made an excellent start to their season, defeating Sheffield Bruins 2-1 and 4-3 over two games at Enfield Playing Fields.

Game one was tied 1-1 after 9 innings and but a wild pitch from Elbis Avila forced Capitals catcher Tajiri Hironori home with the bases loaded at the bottom of the 10th.

Capitals pitcher Masa Hashiguchi struck out 12 Bruins in two tight games against Sheffield Bruins

Picture credit : Jody Demay-Davies

Sheffield Bruins' batting order struggled against in-form Capitals pitcher Masa Hashiguchi. He pitched all ten innings throwing 113 pitches, with 85 of those strikes, and struck out 12 Bruins batters, the most in the NBL this season.

Bruins came out stronger in the second game and were 3-1 up in the middle of the fifth inning thanks to runs from Jonathan Rodriguez, Elbis Avila, and Alex Deacon.

However, the Capitals quickly turned it around at the bottom of the fifth inning. Kenta Kido scored after Kenchiro Murata singled to left centre to bring the hosts within one run.

Julio Almonte won the game for the Capitals after his two-RBI single through the right side drove home Kenchiro Murata and Federico Albertelli for a 4-3 win.

After his team’s double defeat in north London, Bruins manager Charlie Batho said: “Losing three games to start the season is tough, made tougher by the tight nature of each game.

“Huge testament to our preparation. A lot of things out of our control have gone against us, but we have to focus on our own game and put the games beyond doubt.”

The Bruins face 2023 NBL champions London Mets at Thorpe Green Park in Sheffield on Sunday 28th April, while the Capitals travel to Ferndown Leisure Centre in Bournemouth to face NBL newcomers Bournemouth Bears on the same day.

BBF AAA

Cardiff Merlins AAA and Bristol Badgers played out an incredible 32-run game where the Welsh side came out 21-11 winners after losing the first game of the series 4-1.

Bristol Badgers starter Alex Martinson struck out 15 Cardiff Merlins in his debut at Somerdale Pavilion.

Picture credit : Richard Johnson Photography

Herts Cardinals and Croydon Pirates split a two-game series 7-11 and 8-1 in South London.

London Metros swept Cambridge Lancers 15-6 and 8-1 in Finsbury Park.

Richmond Roebucks lost a home series at Melbourne Park, Chelmsford 9-6 and 17-1 to Essex Saxons.

BBF AA

Saturday:

London Mustangs shared two high-scoring games with Richmond Knights 4-19 and 17-8.

Norwich Iceni swept Herts Ducks 7-0 and 17-2.

Sunday:

Kent Buccaneers swept Tonbridge Wildcats 10-9 and 15-3.

London Meteors defeated Formosa Islanders 14-1 and 4-0.

Essex Archers smashed 23 runs past Herts Hawks twice, winning 23-3 and 23-2.

Brighton Brewers claimed bragging rights in their city defeating Brighton Aces 21-2 and 18-13.

Bristol Bats tied a two-game series with Bournemouth Bears AA 12-6 and 6-9.

Guildford Mavericks defeated Oxford Kings 3-1.

BBF A

Bristol Buccaneers defeated Cardiff Merlins A 15-5 and 14-4.

Cornish Pioneers beat Bournemouth Bears A 14-1 and 18-17.

Essex Redbacks lost 11-0 and 18-3 to Herts Ravens.

Bracknell Phoenix won 12-1 and 21-8 against Kent Mariners.

London Minotaurs beat Richmond Barons 7-3 and 9-8.

Bristol Brunels narrowly lost 13-12 and 18-17 to New Forest Knights.

Taunton Muskets beat Taunton Pistols 12-5 and 24-6.

Cornish Claycutters won 8-6 and 19-4 against Weston Jets.

Herts Buzzards beat Brentwood Stags 5-0.

Round Up by Michael Thomas