European Champions Cup 2018: Embarrassing loss for L&D Amsterdam Pirates
Six hits were all that L&D Amsterdam Pirates could produce against Owen Ozanich of the Rouen Huskies. The French champion, on the other hand, managed to collect twelve hits and score eight times to hand Pirates a humiliating loss: 8-1
Owen Ozainich was practically unhittable today. Only in the ninth inning, Pirates got past
second base as Kenny Berkenbosch scored the sole run on a double by Rodney Daal. But in the previous innings, Pirates had only two runners on second base and once the scoring opportunity was blown by a baserunning boner after a flyout to center field when Rachid Gerard was bowled off second base.
The French champion managed to take a 2-0 lead in the second inning. At that moment, things didn’t look that gloomy for L&D Amsterdam Pirates yet. But after Kyle Ward couldn’t stop the French offense and allowed three runs on a single, two doubles, a sac fly and a triple, manager Charles Urbanus must have scratched his head how to stop the bleeding. Even after Ward was replaced by Robin Schel, the Huskies managed to score one more run.
Eventually, the Huskies scored two more runs, one in the fourth and one in the sixth leaving L&D Amsterdam Pirates behind without a chance.
Sure we should not be haughty about the way the Huskies played and the way how Owen Ozainich kept Pirates on a leash. In tournaments like this, surprises happen. Last year, Neptunus was beaten by Mainz. But losing by seven runs and being outhit 12-6?
Thanks to this loss, L&D Amsterdam Pirates must win the game vs A.S.D. Rimini Pirates and is depending on the result of tomorrow’s game between the Rouen Huskies and the Heidenheim Heideköpfe.
Anyhow, Owen Ozanich’ win was more than deserved. In a complete game effort, he gave up one run on six hits and three walks and fanned seven. Kyle Ward took the loss as he
lasted only 2.2 innings in which he gave up six runs on six hits and two walks and struck out two.
Leonel Cespedes was the best hitter for the Rouen Huskies. He went 2 for 3 with a triple as he drove in two and scored twice.