Bucs and Stars hit the road

Completing this busy week, the Belfast Northstars (4-9) and the Belfast Buccaneers (10-4) leave the confines of Hydebank Park to take on the Ashbourne Giants (1-9) and the Cavan Comets (5-7) respectively as the 2015 season moves into its second half.

The Northstars will get a chance to rebound immediately from Wednesday night's loss to the Hornets as they travel to Dublin’s Corcaigh Park to take on the Ashbourne Giants (1-9) as they are putting the finishing touches to their spectacular new facility.

Already leading 2-0 in the season series, Darwin Sanchez will be looking for his team to continue that good form against Ashbourne.

The first game was a tight knit affair with Sanchez himself leading his team to victory on the mound thanks to a complete game pitching performance (1 BB, 5 K) in a 3-0 shutout against Kevin Mitchell of the Giants whose stat line (3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 7 K) would have been enough on any other day. Mitchell and Kleiber Sanchez would combine to provide the offensive spark driving in 3 RBI on the day.

Sanchez Jr. would then turn in possibly his best pitching performance to date. Showing excellent control for one so young, the righthander would strike out seven and walk only four, figures that even veteran arms within the organisation would be envious of.

Feeding off their starters momentum, Darwin Sanchez and speedy infielder David Mundarain would total nine RBI between them, knocking out Giants starter Alex Holloway (7 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 6 K) and getting to getting to reliever Liam Shier (8 R, 8 ER, 5 BB, 3 K) as the margin would be much more comfortable for the Northstars, cruising to a 15-2 victory to get ahead in the series.

Nothing will be taken for granted this weekend however, as the Giants will no doubt be looking to make up ground on the Stars in the B league North.

After a long layoff, the Buccaneers (10-4) will be crossing the border to make the journey south to take on the Cavan Comets.

The Cavan side (5-7) are already in a 3-0 hole against the Bucs before this weekend’s double header. The first game saw a comfortable 14-2 win for the Belfast side following a nine run outburst in the last inning. Jon Carter proved a force on the mound (6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K) and in conjunction with shortstop Terry Rosbotham, fearsome at the dish as they would have four runs, seven hits and ten RBI between them.

The second game would be a much more balanced affair, the Buccaneers providing consistent output through their lineup catalysed by Christopher Barr (5 H, 3 RBI). This gave Carter enough run support to see the game closed out after six innings.

By comparison, the third game between the two sides would be a closer affair, 8-2 the final. The offence on this occasion was sparked by first baseman Chris Stange, centrefielder Ultan Magill and right fielder Billy Thompson (6 RBI combined) after the Bucs fell behind 2-1 in the first inning but, inspired by Sean Shackley’s quality outing (2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 7 K), the Belfast side would show consistent offensive output as the game progressed, adding runs in the first, third, fourth and sixth innings.

Coach Jose Santos will be looking for that same focus and determination against a Cavan side that can never be underestimated.