EXL: Třebíč, Hluboká and Draci will win their series in the 4th week

There were five games played in Czech Extraliga on Saturday. And we could find a lot of interesting moments in them.

Sokol Hluboká – Hroši Brno 1-0 and 6-4

ČBA and Czech Television picked the first game of the doubleheader between Hluboká and Hroši to be televised on the national TV. Fans could see the last Extraliga game of James Boyce, but also a close game that came down to the last pitch. Boyce will leave Extraliga with a complete game shutout, when he didn’t allow any runs to Hroši, while striking out 9 batters. Even 8 innings from Lukáš Ercoli weren’t enough for the visitors, despite not allowing any runs either. However, Ercoli let the first batter of the ninth inning on the mound and Hroši sent Kellen Croce on the mound instead. But the first pitch Croce threw was hit by Martin Mužík resulting into a walk-off triple and Hluboká could celebrate their first win in the series.

Hroši could tie the series in the second game. However, home players started quickly after Martin Mužík blasted a three run homerun. However, Jakub Bílek found his composure afterwards and remained on the mound until the sixth inning. He didn’t allow any more runs until then. But Hroši had difficulties with their bats for a long time. Their first run came in the fourth inning when Jan Pospíšil manufactured their first run of the series. After an error in the seventh inning Hroši came as close as one run from tying the game. Scott Mulhearn then sent in two more runs for Hluboká, however, which turned out the be decisive for the game. Hroši lost the second game of the series, losing six games in a row. On the other hand Sokol will win the second series of the season. Fans of Hluboká also had another reason to celebrate as Jan Novák stepped on the mound for at least an inning for the first time of the season, which is a good news considering Boyce’s departure.

Technika Brno – Draci Brno 3-13 (7 inn.) and 3-12

While the home took an early lead, when Adam Prudil sent Robert Regner home in the bottom of the first inning, Draci managed to keep scoring throughout the game and win the entire duel by a difference of class. They were helped by 5 HR. Furthermore, Jakub Hajtmar reached 800 hits milestone, becoming only the 4th player in Extraliga history to do so.

Anyone who expected the second game of the doubleheader to be the same had to be surprised. Pitching duo Tomáš Hrbek and Parker Thode showed an incredible performance, not allowing batters to gain a momentum. The score was 1-1 after seven innings at Properity Park Kraví Hora. Draci sent Maikel Aquiar on the mound who was greeted by a two run homerun from Matěj Menšík. Technika was only three outs from dealing the first loss of the season to their rival.

However, this was not meant to be. Draci were close to rotating their lineup two times and thanks to homeruns from Manzanero a Tomáš Chadim they scored 11 runs in the inning. Chadim only missed a triple to the Cycle. In the end, Draci took both games and will win their fourth series in the row.

Třebíč Nuclears – Arrows Ostrava 9-6

Arrows Ostrava had been having injury bug going on in their team, however, they headed to Vysočina where they continued the series against Třebíč. Ostrava sent Matěj Satoria on the mound, while Nuclears relied on Lukáš Smejkal. Both young pitchers only allowed a run in three innings and it seemed we would see a pitching duel. However, Arrows loaded the bases against Smejkal in the fourth inning and so he was substituted for Adam Veselý. He didn’t fare much better, and Arrows scored 4 runs in the inning.

Matěj Satoria kept his team ahead until the seventh inning. After, he was then substituted by Josef Cihlář who had trouble with locating his pitches and after two walks and hitting a batter with the pitch Nuclears took the lead. They managed to increase it the eight inning with two more runs and the ninth inning started 9-6 for the home team. The playing trainer of Nuclears Jeffrey Barto then came on the mound to close the game, which he managed to do. Třebíč took the second game of the series, giving themselves a chance to sweep the reigning champions on Sunday.

Extraliga standings

	W	L	%
Draci Brno	11	0	1.000
Tempo Praha	5	2	.714
Eagles Praha	6	3	.667
Třebíč Nuclears	5	5	.500
Sokol Hluboká	5	6	.455
Cardion Hroši Brno	3	7	.300
Arrows Ostrava	2	7	.222
Technika Brno	2	9	.182