2023 Federation Cup: Deurne Spartans Wins Final Game in Round Robin

In a game that was called prematurely because of falling darkness and the possibility of thunderstorms, Deurne Spartans clinched a close victory in the final inning against host Apollo Bratislava.

Deurne Spartans had an energetic start as it scored thrice in the first inning. After two singles and a fielder’s choice, Spartans had runners on the corners before Elio Fundora Basnueva doubled to left center field to drive in Johiner Alfonso Arguinzones Ocanto and to put runners in scoring position. A 6-3 groundout by Nando Mostaert, drove in Frank Alejandro Prieto Burgos. Angel Williams Rosario drove in the third run with a single to left field. 

But Apollo Bratislava did something back in the following inning when Matej Rudohradsky hit a leadoff homer that cleared the fence in left center field. In the top of the fourth inning, another player of Apollo led off with an extra basehit. Alexander Vaclavik tripled to right center field and touched home plate on wild pitch. One inning later, Apollo tied the game when Martin Gieci scored from third base on a balk. 

In the mean time, Spartans was kept in check by Apollo’s starting pitcher Adam Zacko. After the three runs he allowed in the first inning, only one runner of Spartans made it past first base until the sixth inning. 

But despite this good outing, Zacko would be tabbed with the loss. In the bottom of the sixth, he gave up a leadoff double to Nando Mostaert. That was the sign for manager Martin Brunegraf to replace him with reliever Jakub Izold. Izold gave up a single to Angel Williams Rosario that drove in Nando Mostaert for the game winning run. 

José Luis Larrinaga Ocampo earned the win after a six inning complete game. He gave up three runs on three hits and three walks and struck out five in a solid outing. 

Three Spartans went 2 for 3 (Angel Williams Rosario, Alexis Marquez, and Frank Alejandro Prieto Burgos), but Angel Williams Rosario had the biggest impact with two RBI. 

Thanks to this win Spartans clinched a spot in the final in which they will face Dornbirn Indians again. Dornbirn lost a close game to CNTU-OSDYSSOR-Gorn from Ukraine (11-12). 


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