Yeovil Whirlwinds @ Weston Jets

Last Sunday, for the second weekend in a row, the Yeovil Whirlwinds travelled to Weston-Super-Mare to face the Weston Jets in the latest round of the 2025 South Wales & West Baseball League season.

While last week was blistering heat, the randomness of the British Summer weather meant game 1 was affected by drizzle then a downpour forced the scheduled game 2 to be called off.

The game started brightly for Yeovil with two hits and a walk getting their first three batters on base and one run scoring. The next at bat drove in a second run but a tight call at first base gave the Jets their first out and two subsequent strikeouts cut short the promising start.

Whirlwinds pitcher Simon Causer also had a solid start to what would be his best performance of the year (which would earn him a joint Play of the Day nomination). Weston managed to score three runs however two ground outs and a strike out ensured the scoreline was kept tight, the Jets leading 3 runs to 2.

Inning 2 for Yeovil started with a lead off walk for Catcher Dom Sutton. A couple of pitches later, a throw trying to catch Sutton stealing second base was missed by the Short Stop and the overthrow allowed him to round both second and third base and score. The South Somerset side subsequently loaded the bases but couldn’t capitalise and their second inning ended having only secured the solitary run.

With the scores now tied Weston took control of the contest. With Causer finding the zone regularly, the Jets were forced to swing and swung big, hitting well into the outfield. Sadly, the breeze and damp conditions underfoot meant the normally reliable Yeovil outfielders were unable to take the catches in the deep. The Jets batted in 5 runs to take what would be a decisive 5 run advantage into inning 3.

Yeovil’s third batting inning started with two quick outs. However, another walk for Dom Sutton followed by more stolen bases would ultimately see him score again and his offensive efforts earned him the other Play of the Day nomination. With bases loaded again a loose pitch scored a second run in the inning to reduce the deficit to 3 runs before the inning ended.

Three outs with only one further run scored in the Jets’ next inning left the score 9 runs to 5 in favour Weston’s favour. The grey clouds stealing away whatever sunlight remained foretold the final Whirlwind inning as the Jets claimed the final three outs for no runs ensuring the Whirlwinds left empty handed.

The Whirlwinds now have 10 wins and 11 losses. Their final scheduled games are this coming Sunday away at the already crowned league champion Bristol Buccaneers.

By Chris Spurway