Bothasig remains unbeaten in Major League baseball
Josh Wentzel gathers the ball mid-air as he tries to oust Abdul Sasman of Crusaders, during their Cape Town Major League baseball match, Rooikrans, in Grassy Park, on Sunday.
Image: Mark Ward
Mark Ward
Bothasig Baseball Club remains the only unbeaten team in the Major League after notching up two victories over the weekend.
On Saturday, they powered to an emphatic 11-2 win over Thistle, though the final scoreline didn’t reflect the tense mid-game battle. Thistle clawed their way back to 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jordan Jefferies scrambled home on hit from Jason Adonis after earning a walk to first and stealing to second and third base. With momentum shifting, Bothasig’s coach Raymond Tew wasted no time in calling on veteran pitcher Darren Smith, whose experience and control effectively shut down Thistle’s hitters and guided Bothasig to victory.
Earlier, Stef van Davenboden had started on the mound for Bothasig but faced a late surge from Thistle’s batters. For Thistle, Niyaaz Galant opened the pitching duties, working through five frames, striking out five while conceding three hits before being replaced by Lee Marks.
Thistle's Kyle Mulder keeps his eye on the ball and tabs on Bothasig's Rowen Banfield, during their Cape Town baseball Major League match played at Ottery, on Saturday.
Image: Mark Ward
On Sunday, Bothasig continued their strong form, this time at home with a 15-7 victory over VOB, showing both depth and consistency across their lineup.
On Sunday, Durbanville produced a convincing 10-2 win over Crusaders, led by Zack Phillips, who went 2-5 with two RBIs, while Josh Wentzel added another two runs from a 1-4 batting. Chandler Hine and Lucian Swartz shared pitching duties for the Crusaders but struggled to contain Durbanville’s hitters.
Meanwhile, newly promoted Battswood earned a morale-boosting 12-11 triumph over Crusaders at Grassy Park on Saturday, their first significant win of the season and a sign they are starting to find their rhythm in top-flight competition.
Bothasig pitcher, Stef van Davenboden, on the mound during his side's major league match against Thistle
Image: Mark Ward
With Bothasig setting the early pace, the race for Major League dominance is already shaping up to be an exciting one
Results: Bothasig 15, VOB 7; Bellville 14, Thistle 2; Crusaders 2, Durbanville 10; Athlone 10, Battswood 0
Saturday: Thistle 2 Bothasig 11; VOB 10; Athlone 5; Bellville 0, Durbanville 2; Crusaders 11, Battswood 12
Niyaaz Galant on pitching duty for Thistle, against Bothasig, at the weekend.
Image: Mark Ward