2026 Belgian Division One: Match of The Day: August 8

The only game of today, so automatically it was the match of the day.
A game that ended after extra innings ended in a handball score as the Borgerhout Squirrels beat host Brasschaat Braves.

Borgerhout Squirrels 16 – 15 Brasschaat Braves

In the bottom of the first inning, the Braves took a 1-0 lead when Christoff Peeters drove in Steven De Lannoy with a single through the left side. Despite having two outs already, the Braves had a big opportunity to extend their lead when it loaded the bases, but Eamonn Woods hit toward third base where the force out was made.

After both teams scored in the second inning (Borgerhout one run and Brasschaat two), the Squirrels gained the lead in the top of the third inning. With runners on the corners and one out, Cedric Vandesompele doubled down the left field line and drove in one run, followed by Sam Boermans, who doubled to left center field, to drive in two more runs.

Jasper van Velthoven, who started the game on the mound for the Braves, couldn’t record an out in the fourth inning and after Jens Boermans drove in two runs on a double down the left field line, he was replaced by Vince De Lannoy. The latter recorded two outs but could not stop the Squirrels’ offense. Singles by Sander De Saedeleer, Cedric Vandesompele, and Sam Boermans, a double by Nick Vanthillo, and two wild pitches, drove in four more runs for Borgerhout.

After the Squirrels scored another run in the top of the fifth inning, the Braves bounced back with five runs in the bottom of the fifth. Eventually, the score was tied at twelve at the end of the ninth inning, so extra innings were needed.

With two outs, Squirrels managed to score runs. The Braves scored thrice and had a big opportunity to tie the game again with runners on first and second and only one out. But Lou Meir flied out to right field and Vikto Schechter struck out for the final out.

Sam Boermans earned the win. In 1.1 innings, he allowed three runs (one earned due to the tie breaker rule)on three hits as he struck out one. Lino Ballardini took the loss. In 6.1 innings of relief, he gave up six runs (four earned) on seven hits and four walks as he struck out four.

Average-wise, Tardrew-O’Meara Taliesin Patrick was the best hitter as he went 1 for 1 with two RBI and a run scored. When it comes to most hits, Sander De Saedeleer was the best with four hits (two singles, a double, and a triple) out of six at-bats with two RBI and four runs scored.

Defensive-wise, this wasn’t the strongest game of the Braves as they committed four errors.

Next weekend, the final round of the regular season will be played.

Standings:

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