EXL: Eagles won another series. Other series will be decided on Sunday
Third week of Extraliga continued on Saturday. Unfortunately, the game in Ostrava was postponed again.
Tempo Praha – Technika Brno 3-2 (10 inn.) and 1-2
The first game of the series offered a tension that went to extra innings as the score stayed at 1-1 after nine innings. It was especially Luis Rengel from Technika who shone when he threw 9 innings, striking out 17 batters. It was only for the seventh time since 2016 that a pitcher threw at least 17 strikeouts during the game.
Technika managed to get 2-1 lead in the extra innings and they had to defend it in the bottom half of the inning. Tomáš Jurčík pitched instead of Rengel, facing David Vohánka first. Vohánka moved the batters with a bunt, followed by a sacrificial out from Filip Smola. Visitors then intentionally walked Marek Minařík and Michal Zelenka, allowing Tempo to load the bases. Unfortunately, Jurčík threw an uncatchable ball to his catcher and Tempo took the first game of the series.
The second game was close as well as it finished only by a run difference. Duo Parker Thode and Ethan Skuija striked out more batters than they allowed hits. In the end, home team took the lead first, when Aleš Nepomucký reached the home base. This score remained unchanged until the sixth inning, where Technika first tied the game thanks to Mário Gottschall‘s hit. A few moments later, after the home catcher’s error, it was Matěj Menšík who gave Technika the lead. Tempo had several chances for the remainder of the game, but they weren’t able to turn any of them into a tying run. The series is hence tied after two games at Properity Field Kraví Hora.
Eagles Praha – Hroši Brno 11-10
The second game of the series was supposed to offer an interesting duel. Home team started their prospect Albert Pražák, while visitors sent an excellent import player Jon Kennedy on the mound. Unfortunately, Australian pitcher had to be substituted after he sustained an injury, which marked the remainder of the game. Matyáš Němčanský came in for Kennedy and home team took an advantage and pressured him in the fourth inning. Němčanský left the mound without recording an out. Raymond Whitehead didn’t do much better and Eagles scored 8 runs in two innings.
However, Hroši had a good form at bat and managed to tie the game in six innings. They even took the lead in the eight inning. Furthermore, they had their closer Kellena Croce, who started the eight inning very well, however, dropped third strike meant the base for Mikuláš Hanuš. Eagles were able to grab the lead with three runs afterwards. Tadeáš Zavadil along with his defense managed to get the necessary three outs and another series win for Eagles.
Sokol Hluboká – Třebíč Nuclears 5-0 and 3-7
The fans in the Southern Bohemia were treated to a gala by pitcher James Boyce as he threw a complete game shutout, striking out 13 batters. Additionally, Martin Mužík and Matěj Dvořák added a homerun each giving Hluboká the first win of the series.
William Parsons who started the second game of the series also striked out 13 batters. However, even this wasn’t enough to get Sokol the win, as visiting duo Lukáš Smejkal and Ryan Johnson only allowed 3 hits and 3 runs. Třebíč also pressed at the end of the game, increasing their lead by 4 runs and in the end tying the series at 1-1.
EXL Standings
| W | L | |
|---|---|---|
| Draci Brno | 7 | 0 |
| Tempo Praha | 4 | 2 |
| Eagles Praha | 5 | 3 |
| Cardion Hroši Brno | 3 | 4 |
| Arrows Ostrava | 2 | 3 |
| Sokol Hluboká | 3 | 5 |
| Třebíč Nuclears | 2 | 5 |
| Technika Brno | 2 | 6 |
