2026 Belgian Division One: Match of The Day (May 24)
A surprising result today in Borgerhout. After a 0 – 12 loss vs the Borgerhout Squirrels, the Merchtem Cats beat their opponent today, clinching their second win of the season. Thanks to this win, the Cats are no longer in last place alone.
Merchtem Cats 10 – 5 Borgerhout Squirrels
The second surprising victory for a team from the second half of the standings. Where Phoenix Mont-Saint-Guibert beat Deurne Spartans yesterday, the Merchtem Cats beat the Spartans’ neighbour in convincing fashion.
In the first inning, Merchtem took a bold lead when Owen van Droogenbroeck tripled to center field to drive in Tyler Hill and scored himself on a throwing error by the right fielder. In the next inning, the Cats used the long ball to extend their lead to 4-0 when both Robin Reyns and Tom Henrinckx hit solo homers.
After the Cats added three more runs to their score in the third, they never looked back, even though the Squirrels scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth. After the Cats scored another run on the top of the fifth, Jens Boermans touched home plate for the first run for the Squirrels after he singled to left field and advanced to third on a throwing error by the left fielder. Boermans scored on a single by Sander de Saedeleer. With the bases loaded, Tim Veraghtert doubled to center field to drive in two more runs. Another bases-loaded-situation lead to the final run of the inning when Nick Vanthillo was hit by a pitch.
In the bottom of the seventh and runners in scoring position, Sam Boermans hit a sac fly to center field, to drive in Tim Veraghtert for the Squirrels final run of the game.
The Cats scored two insurance runs in the top of the ninth on a single by Owen van Droogenbroeck, and a bases-loaded HBP.
Tom Herinckx earned the win. In five innings, he allowed four earned runs on six hits and five walks as he struck out six. Matthias de Baets took the loss as he allowed seven runs (six earned) on five hits and three walks and struck out two.
Owen van Droogenbroeck was the best hitter for the Cats as he went 3 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Other results of today:
Phoenix Mont-Saint-Guibert – Deurne Spartans: 4 – 5
Standings:
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