4th May 2008

NBC 2 - Mapleleafs 8

NBC 13 - Mapleleafs 8

Game 1

This Sunday saw NBC's first Midlands League match up against tough oposition, the Birmingham Mapleleafs. The weather was typically unkind, rain persisting throughout both games, though not enough to stop play.

Game one saw NBC take an early lead, but it was short lived. Pitcher Marius Urbanivicius was consistently hitting the strike zone, but defensive errors and tactical mis-cues were not helping him.

The Leafs quickly jumped out into the lead, and although NBC were making contact with Leaf's pitching, they were not hitting the gaps and were pop flying out regularly.

Game 2

NBC fielded team two for this contest, going for a strong infield behind Jason Mathews on the mound. Jason was getting tagged around a little for the first three innings, the Leafs hitters taking advantage while Jason's arm was still loosening up. By the 3rd inning, the Leafs had the lead by 8 - 3. NBC never stopped fighting, and Jason finally found his arm and the umpires strike zone, and he and catcher Tamaki Tachikawa began to pound it relentlessly.

The bats were starting to come alive for NBC with some timely hitting and good heads up base running, capitalising on errors and passed balls. The score then reached 11 - 8 NBC, with 8 runs going unanswered. The Leafs battled to get back in it, bringing in a relief pitcher and catcher from game 1, but Jason Mathews was lights out by now, and NBC increased the lead to 13 - 8 to take the win.

Both teams showing some good baseball, and a satisfactory result all round.