Week 1 Roundup, April 4th/5th

North:

Pulheim Gophers – Dortmund Wanderers 13-10, Box score
Pulheim Gophers – Dortmund Wanderers 7-6, Box score
Newly promoted Pulheim Gophers surprised on the first game day with two victories against the Dortmund Wanderers. In game one they used two big innings in a 13-10 win. In the second match they answered with a four-run rally in the bottom of the eighth to win 7-6.

Solingen Alligators – HSV Stealers 14-7, Box score
Solingen Alligators – HSV Stealers 8-0, Box score
Also two victories were captured by last year’s north champion Solingen Alligators. Against the Stealers they won a slugfest 14-7 in the first part of the doubleheader, as the HSV was able to cut the deficit against the bullpen. In the second match Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez combined with two relievers to throw a one-hit shutout in an 8-0 win.

Cologne Cardinals – Bonn Capitals 3-5, Box score
Cologne Cardinals – Bonn Capitals 10-0, Box score
The Bonn Capitals and Cologne Cardinals renewed their local rivalry on game day one with a split. In game one former Minor Leaguer Tim Henkenjohann pitched a complete game to lead Bonn to a 5-3 win. In the second match not only did the Cardinals offense wake up, but new pitcher Kalev Betancourt celebrated a successful debut, striking out eleven in a complete game shutout. Markus Stryczek hit a three-run homerun.

South:

Saarlouis Hornets – Mannheim Tornados  2-3, Box score
Saarlouis Hornets – Mannheim Tornados  5-3, Box score
The Saarlouis Hornets and Mannheim Tornados opened the season in the southern division with a split. In first match Chris Falls drove in the game winner for Mannheim with a groundout in the seventh in a 3-2 win. In the second part of the twin bill, Patrick Carlson struck out eight in seven innings of relief to lead Saarlouis to a 5-3 win.

Haar Disciples – Heidenheim Heidekoepfe 5-11, Box score
Haar Disciples – Heidenheim Heidekoepfe 3-6, Box score
The Heidekoepfe started with two wins over the Disciples into the new season. The home game for Haar was relocated to Heidenheim, as the field back in Munich wasn’t ready yet for game action at the beginning of April. In game one Simon Guehring hit a homerun in an 11-5 victory. Ray Stokes stole four bases and scored twice in game two to lead Heidenheim to a 6-3 win. They scored the decisive runs in the fifth, when a ball got by shortstop Tavo Hall.

Gauting Indians – Mainz Athletics 2-4, Box score
Gauting Indians – Mainz Athletics 7-0, Box score
The Athletics had to settle for a split in Gauting on game day one. In the first match Mainz scored three runs in the fifth en route to a 4-2 win. Florian Arnold drove in two of the four runs for the A’s. In the second match Chris Clem struck out eleven in seven innings, allowing just six hits to lead the Indians to a 7-0 shutout. Jonas Lord scored three times.  

Photo: © eisenhuth-photographie.de