Federation Cup 2024: Hoboken Pioneers Wins Final
In the final of the Federation Cup in Zürich, Hoboken Pioneers clinched an easy victory over Swedish champions Rättvik Butchers. In nine innings Hoboken beat Rättvik 5-0.
Even though today’s result wasn’t a blowout score, Rättvik never came close to winning this game. In no inning, the Butchers did not get past second base.
In the first inning, Hoboken took a lead that never was in jeopardy.
Benjamin Goffaux drew a leadoff walk. During Dennis de Quint’s at-bat, Goffaux stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Eventually, he scored on De Quint’s single down the left field line. De Quint, on his turn moved to second when Xander Verspreet was hit by a pitch, and scored on Rob Lewis’ single through the left side.
In the next inning Benjamin Goffaux drove in one run when he reached base on a fielding error with the bases loaded. In the run-up-to this run, Vegas Tiliakos led off with a single, followed by Lucas Rizzi, who was hit by a pitch. Zion de Brauwer eventually bunted the players over and got on base himself too. 
In the following four innings, not much happened but in the seventh, Dennis de Quint hit a single to left field on which Benjamin Goffaux could score once again. One inning later, Lucas Rizzi touched home plate for the final run of the game, when Benjamin Goffaux singled to center field.
Ben van Nuffel earned the win. In five innings he gave up two hits and a walk, fanned six and lowered his ERA to 0.75. Kevin DeSmedt, normally a starter, pitcher four innings for the save. He also gave up two hits and a walk, but struck out two.
Benjamin Johnson took the loss. He lasted four innings in which he gave up three runs on five hits and a walk and struck out one.
Today, the best hitter for Hoboken Pioneers was Dennis De Quint, who went 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored.
Thanks to this victory, Hoboken Pioneers has secured a(n extra) ticket for Belgium in the European Cup. Currently, Deurne Spartans is playing in that tournament. Tomorrow they will face Diving Ducks Wiener Neustadt in the relegation game. If Deurne wins, Belgium will have two teams in the European Cup next year. Otherwise the situation will remain the same: One team in the European Cup, one in the Federation Cup.
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