Belgian Series 2017: Brasschaat forces fifth game

After a 1-0 victory yesterday, the Borgerhout Squirrels needed only one more victory to clinch their second Belgian title. But the Brasschaat Braves had a different opinion on this. The Braves beat the Squirrels 6-0, forcing a fifth, winner take all game.

Of course, this victory was a team effort but starting pitcher Artuur Driessens was the man of the match. Driessens pitched a nine-inning shutout in which he kept the Squirrels limited to five hits.

The Braves took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Trevor Czerniawski drew a bases-loaded walk. But until the sixth inning, the Braves did not manage to score as Ben van Nuffel kept them in check rather well for five innings. But in the sixth Van Nuffel gave up two runs and left the game with runners on first and second. Van Nuffel’s replacement gave up another (unearned) run when Takura Sorita scored from third base when Sim Ruts hit towards third base where third bagger Rob Lewis made a throwing error.

In the eighth inning the Braves scored a few more insurance runs when Sim Ruts drove in Takura Sorita with a single through the left side and Lino Ballardini hit a sac fly to left field to drive in Trevor Czerniawski.

Artuur Driessens earned the win while Ben van Nuffel took the loss after 5.1 innings in which he gave up four runs (three earned) on nine hits and six walks and struck out four.

Trevor Czerniawski was the best hitter for the Brasschaat Braves as he went 3 for 3 with two RBI and a run scored.

The fifth and decisive game will be played at the Borgerhout Squirrels next weekend. 

This report is brought to you by Score66 Baseball.