The highest European club championship competition enters its third matchday today at 14:00.
Yesterday, June 7th, German baseball (Bonn and Paderborn) celebrated success by winning both of their games against Czech and French teams (Rouen and Brno).
The Bonn Capitals (1-1) dominated the Huskies with a 7-2 score, recording 7 hits against 6 for the Normandy side. Until the third inning, both teams were tied at 2 runs each. Starting in the fourth, the Germans pulled ahead, capitalizing on 4 French defensive errors and 2 passed balls. Mercadier (0-1L) and Moulin didn’t deserve the loss, striking out 10 batters but allowing 8 walks for just 4 earned runs. The Normandy side (0-2) has no choice but to face the Ostrava Arrows (1-1). Today at 15:00, the 17-time French champions play their final Round Robin match. A small Calvados might be in order (in moderation).
Above: Bonn Capitals
The « Untouchables » (still reeling from their 13-0 drubbing by the Italians from Parma) also secured a win against the Czechs. Draci, who led until the 8th inning with 2 runs, have reason to regret their performance as everything unraveled in the final inning with 4 runs produced by Paderborn’s bats. Brno’s (1-1) defense couldn’t handle the 4 German hits that suddenly overwhelmed the Czechs, despite pitcher changes. Paderborn (1-1) recorded 8 hits to 5.
Above: Draci Brno
Now to one of the competition’s heavyweights: Bussum (2-0). The powerful Dutch side crushed the Ostrava Arrows (1-1) with a 12-0 shutout. The Czech offense never got going, managing just 2 hits against Bussum’s 10. The Dutch produced 3 home runs and two doubles. Five Ostrava pitchers took the mound. « Vaarwel Pijlen »… Will the Arrows bounce back against the Huskies?
Above: HCAW Bussum
Two other European powerhouses clashed yesterday. Parma (2-0) and Amsterdam (0-2). The Italian title holders seem fearless, even against the Pirates (2016 European champions, 2019 runners-up, 2012 third place). Amsterdam’s 5 hits weren’t enough to deter Parma, who recorded 12 safe hits including two doubles and 3 sacrifices. However, in the fifth inning, trailing 4-0, the Pirates scored five times. But the Italians’ deep offense secured the win, 7-5. Amsterdam failed to secure a victory. Their last Round Robin chance comes today at 19:30 against Paderborn.
Above: Amsterdam Pirates.
European Cup B: Lions in Croatia.
Today at 10:00, France’s second European competition team, the Savigny Lions, enters the fray against the Spanish side Puerto Cruz.
Vincent Picard
