2026 Belgian Division One: Match of The (Opening) Day
After a long winter, baseball season in Belgium started again. Almost a complete schedule was played today, except for the series between Brasschaat and Namur. The second game of that series will be played tomorrow. The other series were Borgerhout Squirrels @ Merchtem Cats, Deurne Spartans @ Hoboken Pioneers, and Brussels Kangaroos @ Phoenix Mont-Saint-Guibert.
Brussels Kangaroos 3 – 4 Phoenix Mont-Saint-Guibert
Where all first games of the other series were walk overs for the winning team, the opening game of the series in Mont-Saint-Guibert was close and thus an interesting one.
The Brussels Kangaroos took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning when Peder Schaeffer scored from second when Aaron Sluys singled to second base.
In the first inning, Phoenix had a major opportunity to open the score with one out and runners in scoring position, but Florian Lekeu hit into a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play.
In the bottom of the sixth ininng, Mont-Saint-Guibert came alongside when Alexandre d’Hallewin scored on a wild pitch. In the following inning, Phoenix took a two-run lead. Nathéo Collazos Muñoz struggled as Phoenix scored twice without a without a base hit. Collazos Muñoz allowed two walks and threw two HBPs.
The Kangaroos tied the game in the top of the eighth inning. A single by Ken Spurgeon, an HBP and a walk loaded the bases before Aaron Sluys hit an RBI-single. A bases-loaded walk allowed Jhoanderson Freitez to score the game-tying run.
But unfortunately for the Kangaroos, Phoenix pushed for another run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Florian Lekeu led off with a triple and scored on a sac fly by Chad Herrera.
Florian Lekeu, who replaced Simon van der Linden in the top of the eighth, earned the win as he gave up one hit and a walk and struck out one in 1.2 innings. Aaron Sluys, who gave up the game winning run, took the loss.
First baseman Daan Kuenen was the best hitter for Mont-Saint-Guibert. He went 2 for 3, drew a walk and struck out once.
Other results:
Borgerhout Squirrels – Merchtem Cats 11 – 0 (8 innings); 17 – 11
Deurne Spartans – Hoboken Pioneers 1 – 13 (7 innings); 11 – 13
Namur Angels – Brasschaat Braves 1 – 16 (5 innings)
Brussels Kangaroos – Phoenix Mont-Saint-Guibert 9 – 13
This blog post is brought to you by 