With one victory and one defeat, the Diving Ducks started their mission to defend their title in the Baseball Bundesliga. The opponent in the first two games of the season was, as in last year’s final, the Metrostars.
In the season opener at Ducksfield, the Viennese got into the game better and were ahead 2-0 and 3-1. But then a debutant turned things around. After a two-RBI single from rookie Moritz Astner, the score was suddenly tied at 3-3. After Ducks pitcher McGarry recorded a walk, the bases were full again. Elias Kreska was the next home man to bat and also brought two of his teammates “home” with a single. The 5:3 not only completed the turnaround in this game, but was also the final score. Nothing happened in the last two innings.
Ducks debutant Astner was visibly touched after the game: “It’s a huge honor that I was able to play today – also a big thank you to Luis, who encouraged me again before the at-bat and reminded me what I’m for I trained the entire off-season.”
Metrostars strike back in game two
Relatively little happened in the second game before the Metrostars offense turned up the heat in the second inning. Claus Seiser was the first man on the scoresheet after a single from Alex Hilliard. His run gave the hosts a 1-0 lead. Then came Mo Hackl: His three-RBI double made it 4-0. In the third inning, Diving Ducks coach Luis Camargo’s “small-ball” tactics paid off again: Eoghan McGarry and Elias Kreska shortened the score to 4-2.
But the Metrostars didn’t wait long for an answer. Sammy Hackl reached base on “Fielders Choice” and made it 5:2. And things got even worse for the Neustadt team: Head Coach Camargo was sent off after an argument with the umpire.
In the seventh inning there was the first home run of the day by McGarry (5:3). The Ducks changed their pitcher again in the eighth inning, with Alexander Kienberger coming on for Sucharowski. Then it was Mo Hackl again who made Alex Hilliard’s run possible with his double. Hilliard makes it 6:3. A reach after a fielding error by Mc Garry gave the Ducks a run through Felix Astner – but the guests couldn’t get any closer. Final score 6:4.
2024-04-10 02:09:01
#Baseball #Diving #Ducks #Wiener #Neustadt #start #wins #losses
