Spring has sprung, the sun is shining, but more importantly it is the start of the 2022 Baseball season, Yeovil Whirlwinds once again will be competing in the independent Westcountry Baseball League alongside Wellington Khaki Sox, Newton Brewers, Exeter Spitfires and reigning champions Plymouth Mariners.
After no league action in 2020 and a shortened campaign in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Whirlwinds were eager to kick this season off positively and faced a trip down to Devon to face Exeter Spitfires.
The two teams faced each other three times last season, all were close affairs, but the Spitfires ran out victorious on all three occasions.
On what was a glorious sunny day in Exeter, and very keen to make amends for last season, Simon Causer led off the Whirlwinds’ first innings. Strong appearances at the plate from David Martin, Courtney Crocco, Chris Spurway, Toby and Tom Richards saw the Whirlwinds score 3 Runs from the first innings with David, Courtney and Toby all making it home.
After some fantastic pitching from Toby, a solid performance at catcher by Scott Huntley and a good team effort in the field, Whirlwinds began the 3rd innings leading 3-2. Four more runs came courtesy of David, Courtney, Tom and Chris and the Whirlwinds took a 7-2 lead.
In their 3rd innings the Spitfires began to rally, scoring 5 runs and levelling the game.
Momentum now with the experienced Spitfires, Whirlwinds put up stubborn opposition, David and Simon managing to score runs in the 4th innings, but the Spitfires scoring 5 in reply.
Change was afoot in the Whirlwinds camp, with Alex Turner, Ed Blades, Jess Cullen and Glen Banks taking to the field, replacing Courtney, Simon, David Cheetham and Chrisi Wilangowski. Glen was also making his first Whirlwinds appearance today after joining the club in the winter.
As one of the younger members in the squad, Ed was given the unenviable task of pitching the remaining 3 innings of the game, on his pitching debut no less. In tough circumstances Ed’s pitching was admirable and he secured his first ever strikeout, much to the delight of his Whirlwinds team mates who voted it their “Play of the Day” after the match.
A late flurry of runs from David (again!), Jess and Ed was not enough to stop the Spitfires onslaught and the Exeter based team ran out 21-12 winners.
A disappointing result for the Whirlwinds, but a pleasing performance, with some beautiful baseball on display. As always, the Exeter Spitfires were excellent hosts and the game was played with an excellent spirit, congratulations to the Spitfires!
Yeovil Whirlwinds now return to the training field in preparation for our next game, a visit from the reigning champions, the mighty Plymouth Mariners. The game takes place on Sunday 8th May at our new home field Bradford Abbas sports and recreational club. First pitch is at 12 noon, all are welcome to come along and watch some fantastic baseball in the sun.
Jess Cullen 25/04/21
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