2023 Federation Cup: Also Game Two an Easy Win For Deurne Spartans

In their second matchup, the Deurne Spartans were hosted by the Zürich Challengers from Switzerland. Even though the Swiss took an early lead, they finished on the wrong side of the score.

The Swiss opened the score thanks to an error by Spartans’ third baseman, that allowed leadoff hitter James William Sanders to get on base. Sanders stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball before he scored on a 6-3 groundout. 
For the next four innings, Spartans was kept in check by starting pitcher Adam Greenberg as he allowed only four hits. 

But in the top of the sixth inning, Spartans turned the tide. With two outs, Roch Junior De Saedeleer reached base thanks to a fielding error by the third baseman. Two batters later, the bases were loaded and Johiner Alfonso Arguizones Ocanto doubled to left center field to drive in all three base runners. 

One inning later, Spartans flexed its muscles once more. With the bases loaded and no outs, Nando Mostaert reached base thanks to a fielding error that allowed Cédric Desmedt to score. With two outs, Leonel Reina Viant singled to second base to drive in two more runs. A single to left field by Johiner Alfonso Arguizones Ocanto, drove in the final run for Spartans. 

But with that, the game wasn’t over yet, as Zürich did something back in the bottom of the eighth. Cédric Desmedt started the inning with an HBP and even though he struck out the next batter, he was pulled. José Luis Larrinaga Ocampo took over on the mound. He struck out the first batter he faced, but then gave up back-to-back singles that allowed the Challengers to score their final run. 

Cédric Desmedt pitched a gem. In 7.1 innings, he allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and struck out eleven for the win. Despite pitching five strong innings, Adam Greenberg took the loss. In seven innings, he gave up seven runs (four earned) on ten hits and six walks. 

The best hitter for Deurne Spartans was Johiner Alfonso Arguizones Ocanto, who went 3 for 5 with four runs batted in. 

Thanks to this win, Spartans is at the top of the standings, together with the Dornbirn Indians from Austria, that also won its first two games. 


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