Guildford Millers 17 – 11 Forest Glade Redbacks
A bounce-back win was what was needed for Guildford after the defeat against Tonbridge the previous week. The second trip of the season to Essex to play Forest Glade for the third time meant that by now the two teams were familiar with other.
The Redbacks regular starter Dennis Roudebusch was handed the ball again only to be greeted by catcher Matt Friend belting a double in left-centre field. The Millers took advantage and plated four runs to give their starter, Ben Stobart a nice head start going to the bottom of the first.
Centre fielder Tim Bawden blocked a ball crushed by Roudebusch but unfortunately for him, his mouth took the impact and he had to leave the game. He later required stitches but that gave room for another rookie, Dan Reeve to enter the game.
Guildford limited the Essex base runners and in turn, limited the runs to only two in the first five innings. By that time the Millers had continued to pile on the runs to make the score 15-2. Good defence helped with outfielder Richard King catching two well-hit fly balls and the infield dealing with tricky pop-ups and ground balls.
The Redbacks chose to bring in Henry Farguson as pitcher who was effective with his extra pace. Right fielder James Leach exited due to injury so a re-shuffle was required and veteran Dave Austin entered the game and took his familiar place at first base.
Forest Glade scored five runs in the seventh inning as Stobart tired and issued a couple of walks. Tetsuro Shinkawa replaced him to steady the ship and close out the game to take the win 17-11 and complete a sweep of the Redbacks.
Stobart took his first win and over his seven innings gave up nine runs, only four earned. Roudebusch took the loss. Guildford stay on top of pool d with a 8-1 record with Tonbridge close behind at 6-1. These two teams meet next Sunday in Tonbridge, first pitch midday.
Line-up
Friend C
Shinkawa SS
Bawden T CF
Hanley 2B
King LF
Stobart P
Bawden L 3B
Leach RF
Frawley 1B
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