Federation Cup 2024: Hoboken Pioneers Beats London Mets
On a partly clouded day at the facility of the reigning Swiss champion Zürich Barracudas, the London Mets served as the punching bag of the Hoboken Pioneers. In a festival of errors on the British side, Hoboken stayed at the right side of the score, beating the multiple British champions 8-3.
Hoboken took the lead in the first inning. With one out, Luis Unda singled to third base on a bunt, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored when Xander Verspreet singled to right field.
But the London Mets bounced back in the fourth inning. Germeias Valencia Dominguez led of the inning with a solo shot to left field. With the bases loaded, Sean Gondobintoro singled to right field and drove in two to give the reigning British champion a 3-1 lead.
In the bottom of the same inning, Hoboken inched closer. Xander Verspreet singled and advanced to third on a throwing error in a pick off attempt. Then Rob Lewis singled through the right side to drive in Verspreet for Pioneers’ second run.
In the bottom of the sixth, a couple of wild pitches and fielding errors allowed Pioneers to score five runs. Wesley Janssens reached on a muffed catch error which allowed him to to advance to second base. After Janssens stole third base, a wild pitch allowed him to score the game-tying run. After a pitching change, Lucas Rizzi was hit by a pitch and Lino Ballardini advanced to second (after he drew a walk). Then Zion de Brauwer bunted to third to load the bases. Benjamin Goffaux slingled home Lino Ballardini to give Hoboken the lead again. Another bunt attempt by Luis Unda resulted in the first out of the inning at home plate. But Dennis de Quint’s groundout drove in Benjamin Goffaux after Pietro Sollecito threw another wild pitch that allowed Zion de Brauwer to score. Luis Unda scored Hoboken’s fifth run of the inning on Xander Verspreet’s single through the left side.
In the bottom of the seventh frame, Pioineers extended its lead by a run when Lucas Rizzi doubled to right center field, advanced to third on a throwing error during a pickoff attempt, and scored when Benjamin Goffaux singled to shortstop.
In the top of the eighth inning, Brendan Verspreet came in relief to replace Ben van Nuffel. Van Nuffel had pitched six solid innings in which he allowed three runs (one earned), posted an ERA of 1.14, struck out six and walked one.
Starting the eighth inning, Verspreet walked one hitter but retired the other three he faced.
Zane Hendrickx retired the side in the ninth, to secure the victory for Hoboken.
Ben van Nuffel earned the win, Pietro Sollecito took the loss as he allowed three runs in the sixth inning. He posted a 27.00 ERA.
Best hitter for Hoboken Pioneers was Xander Verspreet, who went 3 for 3 with two RBI and a run scored.
Tomorrow, Hoboken Pioneers will take on the Zürich Barracudas. Game time: 18:00.
This blog post is brought to you by 