by Peter Evans
Mlade Buky, Czech Republic: August 4 -- Day 2 of the European Slowpitch Cup got underway today in humid, overcast conditions and, buoyed by their first win in the last game of the evening on August 3, the hometown Sparks Mlade Buky made a strong start. On the back of beating their fellow Czechs Wayne's World the evening before, they repeated the dose, this time by a more convincing 9-5, suggesting a better day lay ahead of them.
Meanwhile, the Pioneers marched on with a 6-5 win over the now 1-4 defending champion Chromies.
Upset of the day
The upset of the day occurred as the Sparks continued their revival with a 6-3 win over the table-topping Pioneers, who were pegged back to a 4-2 record.
Initially, Limerick failed to take advantage, losing 15-8 against the Chromies to fall to 3-2. But the Irish soon began to roll with back-to-back wins over the Czech teams to improve to 5-2. With the game in the balance going into the bottom of the sixth inning against Sparks, the Irish bats got hot. Eric Kelly, the tournament batting leader, sparked a devastating inning with a three-run inside-the-park home run. As if that wasn't enough, Senan Dormer repeated the feat and the Irish stormed to a 15-5 win.
Over at the Trutnov Field, the Pioneers blanked Wayne's World 10-0 to set up the final game of the day against Limerick -- the winner would take the outright lead in the tournament table going into the third day.
Chromies come back
Meanwhile, the Chromies had battled hard all day to reverse their disappointing 1-3 start on Day 1. Without setting the tournament alight they quietly chipped away and found themselves with 4-4 record at the end of Day 2, good enough for third place overall.
Pitcher Pat Hoey typified the gritty performances when he was struck on the knee by a line drive during the game against Sparks. Clearly in a lot of discomfort, Pat
continued to pitch strongly and helped seal the 6-3 win. A 10-6 win against Wayne's World followed, the Chromies' third straight win.
Both Czech teams will face a lot of work on Day 3 to make the playoffs, with Sparks the favourite to edge out the Czech scratch team Wayne's World, a late addition to the tournament, who lost every game today.
Showdown at Trutnov
All the attention now turned towards the Limerick-Pioneers showdown at Trutnov at the end of the day, and it didn't disappoint, although it ultimately ended in frustration.
Limerick opened the game with a line drive single to right field by Brian Hehir but failed to score.
However, Limerick soon got the scoreboard ticking in the top of the second inning. Pioneers pitcher Dan Spinks failed to hold a line drive by Michael O'Sullivan to get things started, Ruth Illis singled to left field and Barry Casey drove home Limerick's first run. When John Leonard scored Casey with an RBI single, Limerick led 2-0.
Pioneers tied the score in the bottom of the second inning. A Limerick error and singles from Liz Keaveney and Michael Lee set up Amy Rice, who drove in two runs to even the score.
Pioneers took a slender lead in the bottom of the third, but should have had more. Dan Spinks tripled to right field and scored when Laura Brockman drove him home, but with Pioneers on every base Amy Rice flied out, allowing Limerick to dodge a bullet. After three innings, the Pioneers led 3-2, having left six runners stranded.
Limerick tied the game again in the fourth as Barry Casey scored on a Brian Hehir single and the Limerick held the Pioneers scoreless in the bottom of the inning thanks to a superbly executed double play.
With the score tied at 4-4 after four innings the gods began to rumble their displeasure, no doubt displeased by all the runners left on base by both Limerick and Pioneers, and bellows of thunder began to erupt. It clearly had an impact on the offense of both teams.
Limerick's Eric Kelly singled to start the top of the fifth inning and Ruth Illis had one RBI and John Leonard two as Limerick opened up a 6-3 lead.
Not to be outdone, the Pioneers came back powerfully and batted round the order in reply. Sandra Lewis led off with a single to right field and Dan Spinks smashed a double. This was greeted by the first bolt of lightning! Laura Brockman lined out but Robbie Robison drove home both runners. An error allowed Liz Keaveney to reach on a fielder's choice and then Michael Lee hit a hard line-drive double, scoring Robison and Keaveney on a hotly disputed call at home plate. A Steve Rice single to shortstop allowed Lee to score and take Pioneers 8-6 in front. But Pioneers left the bases loaded and squandered a great chance to put real daylight between the teams.
Daylight, however, was fading fast and Limerick, despite an Eric Kelly single, were despatched quickly in the top of the sixth. Just as the game was reaching its crescendo, so did the weather. Lightning struck again and this time it was too close for comfort. The rain arrived and then the storm followed. Eventually, because of the weather forecast (poor), it was decided to award the game to the Pioneers, giving them a 6-2 record while Limerick fell to 5-3.
Fingers crossed that today isn't rained off. If all or part of it is, the tournament will be decided by the results at the end of Day 2.
Day 2 Scores
Pioneers 6, Chromies 5
Sparks 9, Wayne's World 5
Sparks 6, Pioneers 3
Chromies 15, Limerick 8
Chromies 6, Sparks 3
Limerick 13, Wayne's World 7
Limerick 15, Sparks 5
Pioneers 10, Wayne's World 0
Pioneers 8, Limerick 6 (5 innings)
Chromies 10, Wayne's World 6
Day 2 Standings
Pioneers (6-2)
Limerick (5-3)
Chromies (4-4)
Sparks (3-5)
Wayne's World (2-6)