European Championship in the Czech Republic: Germany undefeated group winners
4 hits, 4 runs, 5 RBI, 2 home runs: Bonn’s Vinnie Ahrens continued his strong European championship against Switzerland (Photo: Thomas Schönenborn)
The German national team also won the third game at the European Championships in the Czech Republic. In the last of three preliminary round games, national coach Jendrick Speer’s team beat Switzerland 15-5. As undefeated group winners, Germany will face France in the quarter-finals on Thursday (12 p.m.) in Blansko. The match winner in the offensive exchange of blows with the neighboring country was Vinnie Ahrens from Bonn, who recorded five runs batted in with two home runs and a total of four hits.
Ahrens ushers in offensive fireworks
The evening began with a serenade. The Eagles Park in Prague, which was well filled with numerous German and Swiss fans, sang “Happy Birthday” to birthday boy Speer on his special day. His team didn’t want to be inferior to the spectators and got off to a brilliant start. Once again it was the two team captains Eric Brenk and Ahrens from the Bonn Capitals who put Germany in the lead. After a massive triple from Brenk, Ahrens heaved the ball over the outfield fence for the first time in this encounter. In the second inning, Regensburg’s three-man combo of David Dinski, Nino Sacasa and Alex Schmidt added three runs.
Switzerland is working its way back
Early on it looked like a landslide victory for the Germans. But the momentum changed when the newcomer from the B pool scored three points in direct return. In the third period, Switzerland even reduced the score to 4:5. At this point, Marcel Giraud (2.1 IP, 2H, 1R, 4BB, 6K) had already replaced starting pitcher Marc Harrison (1.2 IP, 3H, 3R, 1BB, 1K). As a result, an exciting encounter developed at times. However, the “Black-Red-Golden” didn’t stop putting needle pricks and literally slipped away from the Swiss.
Germany is gradually pulling away
From the fourth period onwards, Germany scored at least once in every inning – too much for the bravely fighting A-EM debutant. In the seventh period, Ahrens heaved the ball over the edge of the field for the second time. This time the rightfielder took substitute Cody Schultz with him across home plate. In the end, Samuel Steigert got the last three outs at his home ballpark. The thrower played for the Eagles Prague this year. However, the sidearmer still had to accept a home run from Noah Williamson. In total, Speer ordered five pitchers to the pitcher’s mound. The win was ultimately credited to Simon Groß (3.0 IP, 2H, 1BB, 4K) from the Oosterhuit Twins from the Netherlands.
2023-09-26 22:33:09
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