2026 Belgian Division One: Championship Tournament, Day 3

In game one of the third day of the Belgian Baseball Championship Tournament, Deurne Spartans took on still reigning champions Brasschaat Braves. The result indicates that it was a very lopsided game but the box score tells a different story.

Deurne Spartan 3 – 13 Brasschaat Braves

For six innings, both teams were each other’s match but in the seventh inning the pitching and defense of the Spartans collapsed and as a result, the Braves walked away to a somewhat flattering victory.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Braves opened the score when Harry Deliyannis scored from third on a single up the middle, hit by Thomas de Wolf.

But in the second inning, the Spartans bounced back. Cazimir Vandervelden tripled down the right field line with runners in scoring position and eventually scored himself when Leonel Santiago Reina Viant bunted into the direction of the pitcher.
But their lead didn’t last long.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Braves tied the game when, with runners in scoring position, Christoff Peeters doubled to left center field. Two innings later, Brasschaat regained the lead when the fifth inning became the Harry Deliyannis show. Harry drew a walk, stole second and third and scored on an error by Spartans’ catcher.

Two walks, a single, a double, and a passed ball, drove in four runs for the Braves in the seventh inning. Five more runs in the eighth, ended the game prematurely because of the mercy rule.

Harry Deliyannis pitched a “complete” game for the win. In eight innings, he gave up three runs on ten hits and a walk, as he struck out twelve. Will Alejandro Abreu took the loss. In 2.1 innings, he gave up three runs (two earned) on one hit and four walks.

Eamon Woods was the best hitter for the Braves as he went 4 for 5 with three RBI and a run scored.

The Braves advance to tomorrow’s game and will face the loser of the next game: Borgerhout Squirrels @ Hoboken Pioneers.

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