The host Stuttgart Reds struck early and never allowed their opponent Brabant United to extend a rally in their 11-3 victory Monday morning.
The Reds shot out to a four-run lead in the top of the first, when Jonas Van Bergen led off the game with a double and Fabi Beck drove him in on a single to right field. Benedikt Schaffer walked. Two at-bats later, Beck and Schaffer stole. Beck came around to score on the overthrow and Schaffer took third. Amando Dossow singled in Schaffer and Dossow later scored from second on a fielder’s choice play to complete the scoring for the inning.
Two walks, a wild pitch and an error gave Brabant United a run back in the bottom of the first (4-1), before Stuttgart went on another rally in the top of the second. Schaffer reached on an error, Yannick Witt walked, they both advanced a base on a wild pitch and both scored when Dossow reached on an error. Tomoya Kakita then doubled to right field, scoring Dossow to make it a 7-1 game.
The lead proved to be all Stuttgart needed to outlast Brabant United for the win, as the Germans went on another three-run rally in the top of the seventh.
Stuttgart’s Konrad Titus Klein pitched started and went five innings strong, allowing three runs (none earned) on three hits and five walks, while striking out four. Dossow came in in relief, working two shutout innings, allowing two hits and a walk, while striking out four.
At the plate, Van Bergen, Beck and Kakita each had two hits for Stuttgart, leading the squad. Beck and Kakita each had a team-high two RBI.
Watch the gallery from our photographer Iris Drobny here