Mustangs Baseball Club

Devils come out hot against Mustangs but cool down half way.

What started out as a close game between the 2nd placed Mustangs and the Devils did not end that way, since it was once again a game which ended due to the mercy-rule in the 5th inning.
The 1st inning didn’t start off too well for the Devils, who allowed 6 runs, 4 of which came after they had made the 2nd out. However despite their defensive errors, the Devils more than made up for it in the bottom of the inning by scoring 7 runs thanks to RBI (Runs Batted In) hits by Robert Mifsud, Silvan Busuttil, and John Farrugia. The Devils also took advantage of 2 walks and 2 hit-by-pitches but ended the inning leaving 3 runners stranded with the bases loaded.
The 2nd inning was a quick one, in the top of the inning the Mustangs scored 2 runs in the Devils only errorless inning, however the home team were not able to repeat their 1st inning success and the score remained 8-7.

The Mustangs then scored another 4 in the 3rd, however the Devils managed to end the inning on two pop-flies to shortstop and 3rd base. At the bottom of the inning Mustangs pitcher Mark Buttigieg was replaced by Steve Ritchie. The Devils once again scored no runs.
After suffering 4 runs in the top of the 4th Giancarlo Tolu was substituted by Silvan Busuttil who ended the inning with 4 pitches. Steve Ritchie then replied by striking out 2 in the bottom of the inning, allowing no hits to once again shut down the Devils offense.

The 5th inning turned out to be the last one of the game, after the Mustangs managed to score 6 runs off pitcher Busuttil thanks to hits by most of their line-up. In fact the game stopped at 2 outs, since the 15 run-difference rule came into place when the score became 22-7. Sunday’s game started off as a close one, but in the end it was clear that the team who managed to settle in sooner won the game. Although the Devils wreaked some havoc in the 1st inning, it was not enough to keep them going, had they committed less errors defensively and kept their bats hot after the first inning they might have actually given the Mustangs a run for their money.

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Gozo Finish Regular Season with a Win

The last week of the regular season ended on a positive note for Gozo, beating the reigning champions twelve to five in just seven innings.
The Tornadoes rallied on in the top of the first, scoring four runs in their first five plate appearances, thanks to consecutive singles by Rodney Debono, Gary DeBrincat and a bunt single by Charlie Attard. The Northenders replied back in the bottom of the third with one run, and another in the bottom of the fourth. After a decisive error by Gozo's defense, Mellieha rallied in the fifth, and tied the game off reliever Steven Galea. Galea came in for Attard with two outs in the fifth inning, after the latter was dominating on the mound, striking out nine batters in just four and two-thirds of an inning.
Gozo then fought back in the top of the sixth, scoring six runs off reliever Clint Grima, and then scoring the twelfth run in the top of the seventh in order to win the game. Reliever Galea did a fantastic job by throwing two scoreless innings, taking away any hope left for Mellieha to make a comeback. First baseman Gary DeBrincat had a stellar performance at the plate, going three for four with a double while rookie sensation, Joshua Gauci had a spectacular game at second base, making a diving catch in the bottom of the second to prevent extra bases, and had five putouts and four assists.
The Tornadoes will now face the Mustangs next Sunday to start their playoff season.

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Mustangs End Northenders Winning Streak

The Mustangs continued where they ended in this game which was postponed by rain and kept scoring runs, putting pressure on the Mellieha team which seemed to be falling apart at times without Keith and Michael Bartolo there to lead the way! The Bartolo brothers are now playing for Jeka, a first division Baseball club in Holland.

The Mustangs started off by adding 3 runs bringing the score to 7-2 in the just the second inning. Then after a scoreless third inning both teams scored 2 in the fourth inning to make the score 9-4.

The fifth inning was not a good inning for the Northenders as the Mustangs kept hitting and with number of defensive errors helped the Mustangs score 9 runs. Mark Buttigieg and Trevor Shaw made an impact in the Mustangs line up with 2 RBIs (runners batted in) each and the score was then 18-4. Mellieha only managed to reply by scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the inning giving the Mustangs a 18-6 win on the 10 run difference rule.

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