Lawson Leads Knights in Taunton
Chris Lawson stole the show as the New Forest Thunder Knights battled for a split against the Taunton Muskets on Sunday. In a fiercely competitive day of baseball, the Knights showed their resolve to hold on for a game two win in extra innings. Lawson hit the first ever home run for the newly formed South Coast team, before adding a second shortly afterwards. He also pitched two innings in relief to secure the first win of the season for Marcus Senior. Senior got into his groove as the second game went on, picking up 16 strikeouts in an impressive tandem performance with Mitch Sullivan at Catcher. Entering the first extra inning, the scores were tied at 8-8. The Knights performed heroics on defence to keep the score tied, with both Rob Holbrook and Alex Frampton throwing runners out at home plate. Then in the second additional inning, hits from Sam Williams and Danny Vinkler helped break the game open before Lawson closed out a 17-9 win. Earlier in the day the Muskets had edged a tight first game by a score of 7-6. With the bases loaded twice in the first two innings, the away side were unable to push runs over the plate. In turn, a home run from Andres Bianco gave Taunton a six run lead. However, the Knights fought back to level the game thanks to the bats of Sullivan, Lawson and Williams. Despite shutting out the home side in four of the first five innings, the Knights weren’t able to prevent the Muskets from winning the game in the final inning. A single from Fumihito Yasuhara was enough to bring home the winning run. Lawson’s huge day with the bat, and his pitching efforts earned him player of the day honours. The Thunder Knights are next in action on 7th May as they travel to division leaders, Cardiff Merlins I.
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.
Knights Secure Sponsorship as Schedule is Released
The New Forest Thunder Knights are delighted to have secured sponsorship for the upcoming season from the New Forest Academy of Dance and Kings Computer Recycling. Both organisations have sponsored one of the Knights’ home games and will see their branding displayed across the team’s social media and banners on game day. With three months of winter training under their belt, the Knights have also received their schedule for the season. A league debut away at Bristol Buccaneers kicks things off on April 16th, road trips to Taunton and Cardiff follow, before the home opener against the Bournemouth Bears on May 14th. The Knights will host the Cornish Claycutters and the Weston Jets in interdivisional games alongside further divisional matchups with the Bristol Brunels and both Cardiff Merlins’ teams. Team Manager, Warren Doyle, said: ‘Getting the team set up for our first season has been an incredibly exciting process. I’m really proud of everything we’ve achieved so far and there’s a lot more to come. ‘The support of local partners is vital as we seek to grow both the Thunder Knights and British Baseball in general, so we’re very thankful to the Academy of Dance and Kings for their very generous support.’ New Forest Academy of Dance Owner, Kayleigh Sargeant, said: ‘Our ethos is very similar to that of the Knights, as we’re both looking to help people unleash their full potential. We’re excited to see a new sport in the New Forest, and we believe this partnership will benefit both organisations.’ Kings Computer Recycling Owner, Trevor Herbert, said: ‘I’m delighted that we’re able to support an up and coming local sports team. I know that the Knights are a family club, much like our business here in Christchurch, which is why it made perfect sense to agree to this partnership.’ Ahead of the season, the Thunder Knights will also host a session for players new to the game of baseball. On Saturday April 8th, the club is inviting anyone who wants to give the sport a try to join them at Ellingham Cricket Club to learn the basics and have a throw with some of the current squad. A preseason game against Warwickshire Baseball Club is also scheduled for March 26th, alongside a South West and Wales League tournament in Bristol on April 2nd. The New Forest Academy of Dance is based in Lymington and offers dance and musical theatre classes to all age groups in a fun and positive environment. The Academy recently held their Lower School Show, highlighting the talent and hard work of a host of students in front of a captivated audience at Brockenhurst Village Hall. With a host of experience in servicing and repairs, Kings Computer Recycling is regarded as the best recycling option for schools, companies and individuals on the South Coast. Based in Christchurch and run by Trevor Herbert, the company helps local organisations with their IT needs, with no job too big or small. Further Information: