Thunder Knights Split on Opening Day
The New Forest Thunder Knights played their first league games as a club on Sunday. On the opening day of the British Baseball season, the Knights split a doubleheader with the Bristol Buccaneers in Keynsham. With a 22-9 victory in game one, the away side grabbed the very first win in New Forest Baseball history. On an overcast afternoon at Somerdale Pavilion, the Knights’ bats were led by Chris Lawson and Rob Holbrook who combined for five hits and seven RBIs (runs batted in) in game one. Holbrook drove home three runners with a big hit to centre field, giving the team in green some early breathing room. But it was defensively that the away side looked strongest. An infield consisting of Marcus Senior, Warren Doyle, Sam Williams, Holbrook and Lawson provided excellent support for Andy Moore who picked up his first pitching victory of the season. In the outfield Alex Frampton sealed the victory with a catch over his shoulder after the Knights added 12 runs in the final inning of the game. Game two was a different story as Jake Boyer showed off his excellent pitching in a 10-8 victory for the Buccaneers. The young Bristol pitcher struck out ten Thunder Knights on his way to the win. However, the Knights didn’t go down without a fight. Shaun Barrett picked up play of the day as he hit a slider from Boyer firmly into the outfield. Leigh Froud and Lawson also picked up hits, with Marcus Senior continuing his good day at the plate by supporting his own pitching with a couple of knocks. Dan Churchill came up with a great catch in the second inning, taking a line drive high above his head to stop two runs scoring. Senior struck out eight Buccaneers on the afternoon but it wasn’t quite enough as the away side couldn’t come back from a six run deficit in the final inning. Rozi Hathaway and James Knight also made their British Baseball debuts on the day. The Thunder Knights travel to Taunton to play the hometown Muskets next Sunday.