2024 Belgian Division 1: Match of The Day

Today’s Match of The Day is the second game of the doubleheader between Deurne Spartans and Phoenix Mont-Saint-Guibert. After Deurne won game one 4-1, Mont-Saint-Guibert turned the tables in game two and beat the reigning Belgian champions 12-8.

In game one, Mont-Saint-Guibert was limited to one run on four hits as it committed two errors. In the second game of the doubleheader, Phoenix would perform a lot better.

In the first inning, Phoenix took a bold 3-0 lead. With one out and runners in scoring position (thanks to a passed ball), David Nuñez Alonso singled to center field to drive in the opening run. When Daan Kuenen hit into a 4-6 fielders choice, Geoffrey Haesaert scored from third base. Kuenen advanced to second on a stolen base and scored when Noah Dassy singled to right center field.

In the third inning, Deurne Spartans got on the board. With one out and runners in scoring position, Alexis Marquez drew a walk on a passed ball that allowed Roche De Saedeleer to score Spartans’ first run. After Alexis Marquez stole second, Daniel Bustamante hit into a 4-3 groundout that allowed Leonel Reina Viant to score as well.

In the top of the fourth inning, Spartans tied the game when Elio Fundera Basnueva doubled to right field and allowed Johiner Arguizones Ocanto to score. But Phoenix Mont-Saint-Guibert wasn’t impressed a bit by this game-tying run. In the bottom of the same inning, the Firebirds would hit hard, partially thanks to a shaky battery. With one out and the bases loaded, Chad Herrera singled to right field to drive in Alexandre d’ Hallewin. Still with the bases loaded, Viktor Vandervelden took over on the mound, but started with walking the first batter he faced to allow Mont-Saint-Guibert to score the second run on the inning. After another bases loaded walk, Daan Kuenen hit a bases-clearing double to right center field. With runners on the corners, Daan Kuenen scored on another passed ball. After Alexandre d’Hallewin drew a walk, Noah Dassy scored on… you may guess it… a passed ball.

Even though Spartans fought its way back into the game, they would not overcome this big inning of Phoenix. In the sixth, seventh, and eighth inning, Deurne scored a run each and in the ninth, they even scored two.

Phoenix would score one more run in the eighth inning.

Chad Herrera, who helped his own cause at bat with an RBI, earned the win. In five innings, he gave up three runs on seven hits and a walk and struck out one. Jose Larrinaga Ocampo took the loss. In 3.1 innings, he allowed seven runs on seven hits and a walk as he struck out two.

The best hitter for Phoenix Mont-Saint-Guibert was David Nuñez Alonso, who went 3 for 3 with two RBI and a run scored.

This blog post is brought to you by