ASG22: Matěj Menšík’s walkoff homerun gave national team the win
After a year off, the fans of Czech baseball finally got to see the game between the best of Extraliga, who played against Pavel Chadim’s senior national team.
Both teams took a responsible approach and it was clear from the get go, this was no friendly game. Jaylyn Williams‘ solo homerun in the first inning showed the national team will not have it easy.
National team was able to get a one run lead in the second inning, thanks to a triple from Arnošt Dubový, who was then sent home by Marek Minařík. Tempo batter scored the second run moments later.
In the following half of the inning Extraliga team tied the game thanks to a solo homerun from Tyler Smith. However, national team managed to respond after the fan favorite Martin Mužík scored the third run. National team added two more runs in the fourth inning and was leading by three runs.
Extraliga team, however, was able to take the game back, when they scored 3 runs in the fifth inning. They even had the bases loaded with two outs in the fifth inning. In the end, Kellen Croce left the batting box with a strikeout. National team scored two runs, after Homerun Derby finalist Martin Červenka blasted a solo homerun. Martin Pernička then sent Martin Mužík home for another run.
Two young batters playing for Extraliga team made for a dramatic finish in the sixth inning, namely Jakub Winkler and Milan Prokop. Moments later Ryan Johnson gave his team the lead with a three run homerun.
Extraliga team was an out away in the bottom of the seventh inning. However, with two runners on bases Matěj Menšík stepped into the batting box and with a three run walkoff homerun he gave his team the win.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | ||
| EXL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 4 | |||
| Czech Republic | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
