2023 Belgian Series: Deurne Clinches 5th Belgian Championship

In a game that was merely a pitching duel, the Deurne Spartans stayed at the right side of the score, to win their fifth Belgian Championship, their first since 2019.

In the first inning, Deurne Spartans openend the score. Leonel Santiago Reina Viant drew a leadoff walk, stole second, moved to third on a sac bunt and scored on a single up the middle, hit by Daniel Bustamante. 

In the top of the second inning, Hoboken Pioneers had a tiny opportunity to get on the board when they loaded the bases with two outs, but Luis Unda grounded out to end the inning. In the bottom of the same inning, Spartans was in a similar situation, but this time Edgardo Jose Nieto Castillo fouled out to first base to end the inning. 

In the following innings, the game evolved into a pitching duel as both starting pitchers kept the opponents on a leash. As a result, nothing much happened at bat or on the base paths. But in the eighth inning, Spartans added a few insurance runs.  Edgardo Jose Nieto Castillo got on base thanks to a leadof bunt. Daniel Bustamante got on base thanks to a fielders choice and advanced to third on Alexis Marquez’ single to center field. Johiner Alfonso Arguinzones Ocanto drove in Bustamante with a single up the middle. The third and final run of the game was scored by Alexis Marquez, who crossed home plate from third base on
Brian Jordani Valdez Lazil.  

Both pitchers went very deep and pitched a complete game, but Cedric Desmedt earned the win after throwing 163 pitches. In nine frames, he gave up six hits, walked four and struck out seven. His opponent, Brayden Bebee, gave up three runs on seven hits and four walks and struck out six for the loss in which he threw 128 pitches. 

Alexis Marquez was the best hitter for Deurne Spartans, as he went 2 for 3 with a run scored. 

Photo by Deurne Spartans

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