EXL: Hroši returned the loss to Draci. Tempo successful in doubleheader
Extraliga TOP 6 continued with four games on Saturday. We now have two teams who are yet to lose a game. And Třebíč and Eagles who will need to wait for their first win.
Tempo Praha – Třebíč Nuclears 11-2 and 8-4
Tempo Praha attempts to retain the second spot they held in the regular season, and you would be hard pressed to find someone who considers them a long shot for the semi-finals. Tempo got to show it in the doubleheader against Třebíč. The first game was also televised in Czech Television. Tempo entered it well, leading 2-0 after the first inning. However, Nuclears managed to tie the game in the following inning after hits from Robina Vávra and Jaylyn Williams. Players from Vysočina couldn’t know these were the last runs they would score in the game.
The tied score remained until the fifth inning, where Marek Minařík blasted a two run homerun and sent Tempo ahead. A three run homerun from Keibert Petit then increased their lead an inning later and gave Tempo a comfortable win.
Home team wanted to carry on the momentum in the second game. And they managed to do just that, when the built a decisive lead in the first half of the duel. Marek Minařík opened the score with a three run homerun in the bottom half of the third inning. And Tempo didn’t let go of the lead. Jake Rabinowitz threw 8 innings for Tempo, only allowing 4 runs. Anthony Fell then closed the game. Tempo entered TOP 6 in the best way possible, winning first two games of the series. The third game will be played on Sunday in Vysočina.
Eagles Praha – Arrows Ostrava 5-8
After losing on Friday, Eagles Praha wanted to get the win. They entered the second game well, winning 4-0 after two innings. However, Arrows only need one inning to tie the game. Mathias Schwarzinger 2 RBI in the fifth inning then gave Arrows the lead. These turned out to be the decisive runs, as Eagles only managed to score a solo homerun for the rest of the game. Arrows won the second game in TOP 6 and it seems that they form is increasing before Champions Cup. Furthermore, the last game of the series will be played before their home crowd.
Draci Brno – Hroši Brno 4-7
On Friday Hroši showed they have enough quality to trouble the winner of the regular season. And they came back guns blazing on Saturday, dealing Draci a loss. It was thanks no small part to Lukáš Ercoli, who currently has his best season of the career. He remained on the mound for 6 innings, only allowing 3 runs and striking out 9 batters. Lukáš Hlouch then followed him up, earning save with only one run allowed.
Even two HR from Eugene Helder weren’t enough for Draci. Their bullpen had a rough day when Jan Nebenführ had to leave the game after two outs as he walked 4 batters. Surprisingly, the best performance from the bullpen came from young Dominik Polgár who threw his first game in Extraliga, and didn’t allow any runs in 1.1 IP. The winner of the series will be decided on Sunday at Hroši field.
Current standings:
Arrows Ostrava 2-0
Tempo Praha 2-0
Hroši Brno 1-1
Draci Brno 1-1
Třebíč Nuclears 0-2
Eagles Praha 0-2
