European Federation Cup - Day 3
Whilst British Umpires Petter Nordwall and Alex Folkes were both in action yesterday, in Slovenia and Norway respectively, both the Essex Arrows and London Mets took to the diamond in their third games of the tournament ahead of a rest day for the two British teams.
Arrows 13 v 3 Mariners Baseball Ireland (European Federation Cup)
The Essex Arrows had a short turnaround to face the Mariners (Ireland) but once again combined a potent offence with quality pitching.
The team combined 8 hits and 9 walks to score 13 runs off the two Mariners pitchers, with runs coming from 8 different Arrows.
Stater Gio Pappalardo (4IP) and reliever Tosh Lawson (1IP) allowed just 9 Mariners base runners, walking none, and conceding just 3 runs, with a combined 78 pitches of which 55 were strikes.
The team now have a rest day before a crunch match with Vålarenga Baseball from Norway likely to decide a place in Sunday’s final.
General manager Brad Neal: “The short rest did nothing to stop our boys from rolling on, and we’re making the most of our first European appearance since 2015. To win via mercy rule against a tough Mariners team speaks volumes and will allow us some well earned extra rest.”
Mets 19 v 1 Kristiansand Suns Baseballklub (European Federation Cup Qualifier)
Fresh off of the dramatic game against Rybnik, the Mets would face hosts Kristiansand Suns in a game where a win would guarantee the London team a spot in the final.
On the opening day of the tournament the Suns mercied the Finnish team 12-2 and Mets manager Cook was keen to impress upon the squad that this game should not be taken lightly.
Giving the ball to a product of the Mets youth programme Matteo Sollecito would be on the bump and would establish his fastball early. However, a swinging bunt, followed by some erratic hops on the infield would give the Norwegian squad a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the first with loud cheers from the home fans in attendance.
This would be enough to spark the Mets offence into overdrive which saw them produce 19 runs in 3 innings. This would include home runs from both Cotton and Riley, along with a 3-3 performance from pitcher Matteo before he slammed the door shut in the 4th inning to secure the 19-1 win.
The game secures the Mets a place in the qualifier final on Saturday for the third tournament in a row.
