2025 Belgian Divison One: Borgerhout Squirrels Finals-Bound After Come-From-Behind Victory

In a very close do or die game for both teams, the Borgerhout Squirrels ended as the victor as they beat the Deurne Spartans in a come-from-behind victory. Spartans squandered a 2-0 lead and eventually, the Squirrels scored the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth.

Borgerhout Squirrels 3 – 2 Deurne Spartans

In what one could call a pitching duel, Borgerhout Squirrels had a big opportunity to open the score. In the frist inning. Back-to-back fielding errors by Deurne’s shortstop, allowed two runners on base that advanced into scoring position on Sam Boermans’ 4-3 groundout. Unfortunately for the Squirrels, they could not cash in as Matthias Group flied out to right field.

Spartans on its turn took advantage of its first opportunity. Raxon Martinez Miranda made up for the two errors he committed in the top of the first inning as he hit a double left field, advanced to third on a balk and scored on Alexis Marquez’ groundout.

In the bottom of the second inning, Deurne extended its lead with a run when Johiner Alfonso Arguizones Ocanto scored on a failed pickoff attempt at first base.

But in the top of the third inning, Borgerhout Squirrels cut Spartans’ lead in half. After Nick Vanthillo drew a walk, he advanced on a stolen base and scored on Sam Boermans’ single through the left side.

Deurne Spartans had another big opportunity to break open the score as it loaded the bases in the fifth inning, but they could not cash in as Kelvin Delgado struck out for the final out of the inning.

In the top of the sixth inning, Squirrels finally tied the game at two when it loaded the bases with one out. A groundout to third by Sander Desaedeleer drove in Naoki Kambara for the game-tying run.

Wyatt Lankford was replaced in the bottom of the eighth inning. He recorded two quick outs but then allowed two consecutive singles. His successor, Donald Goodes started with an HBP to load the bases but recovered by fanning Joey Lambert for the final out of the inning.

Sander Desaedeleer scored the winning run for Borgerhout as he hit a leadoff single, was bunted over by Nick Vanthillo, and scored on Cedric Vandesompele’s single to center field.

Donald Goodes earned the win. In 1.1 innings he didn’t give up a run and struck out two. Deurne relied on Anderson Denny Gerdel Nieto as he pitched a complete game. But the trust in him to throw 127 pitches did not pan out well as he gave up the game-winning run to Squirrels. He allowed three runs (two earned) on ten hits and a walk, as he struck out twelve (!).

Naoki Kambara was the best hitter for the Borgerhout Squirrels, as he went 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Thanks to this victory, Borgerhout will face Brasschaat Braves in tomorrow’s final.

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