2026 Belgian Division One: Match of The Day, Championship Tournament

In the champsionship tournament of the Belgian Division One, there were two games today. One was a blowout, the other was a very close affair. Of course we pay attention to the latter.

Merchtem Cats 1 – 0 Deurne Spartans

In a pitching duel, Deurne Spartans completely relied on Denny Anderson Gerdel Nieto. Rightfully so as he kept the lineup of the Cats on a leash: He allowed only one run on seven hits and struck out fifteen batters in nine innings. Too bad for himthat this one run he allowed, was the winning run for the Cats.

But also Kewan Braziel pitched a strong game for the Cats. He lasted seven innings in which he gave up six hits, walked five, and struck out six.

In the bottom of the second inning, Deurne came close to breaking the game open when Joey Lambert singled to center field and David Rodriguez dashed home from second base, but was tagged out after a precise throw from center field.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, there was a similar situation. Joey Lambert singled to center field again but this time, Cazimir Vandervelden pushed his luck as he ran home from second base. But once again, a perfect throw from center fielder Ewout Frijders prevented Vandervelden to score the opening run.

Also in the eighth inning, Spartans was the team with the scoring opportunities. With two outs and Karel Jandrick on third, there was another opportunity, but Johiner Alfonso Arguizones Ocanto grounded out 6-3 leaving Jandrick on base.

But in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Cats grabbed the only opportunity they got. Lennert Scats led of with a single to right field, followed by a single by Owen Van Droogenbroeck. A fielding error by the right fielder made Scats advance to third base. Then, Tom Henrickx grounded out 4-3 but allowed Schats to score the winning run.

As written above, Kewan Braziel pitched seven innings for the win. Denny Anderson Gerdel took the loss.

Lennert Scats was the best hitter for the Cats, as he went 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Thanks to this loss, the Spartans will have to face the unbeaten the loser of the first game of today, next week. The loser of that game will be eliminated, the winner will have another shot to advance in the tournament. The Cats will have the thankless task to face the unbeaten Hoboken Pioneers next week.

The first game of today was between the Brussels Kangaroos and the Borgerhout Squirrels. The Kangaroos were no match for the Squirrels as they lost 2 – 12 in seven mercy rule innings.

The Kangaroos will have to face the Deurne Spartans in a do-or-die game next week. The Squirrels will face the Brasschaat Braves next week.

This blog post is brought to you by