Flanders Invitational Baseball Tournament

Report Game 4 - Sweden vs Belgium

Belgium take out Sweden with help from both Benjamin DILLE and GOUFFAUX, 10-6.

DILLE and GOUFFAUX both collected three hits, helping Belgium to a 10-6 victory over Sweden on Friday at Borgerhout. Elvis HAMMARSTEDT was hot from the plate for Sweden, he went 3-4 and drove in one. He singled in the third and fifth innings and doubled in the seventh inning.

Ben VAN NUFFEL struck out seven hitters, allowed two earned runs, five hits and two walks over six innings. GILLIGAN couldn't get it done on the bump for Sweden, taking a loss. He allowed nine runs in 6 1/3 innings, walked none and struck out four.

Sweden brought home one run in the first inning, and matched that run total in the third. In the first, Sweden scored on an RBI single by Magnus PILEGARD, plating Joel JOHNSON. Belgium didn't relinquish the lead after scoring two runs in the first inning when it scored on a groundout by Dennis DE QUINT.

Belgium scored one run in the third on an RBI single by Benjamin GOUFFAUX, scoring Tom GERARD. One run in the bottom of the third helped Sweden its deficit to 3-2. An RBI single by HAMMARSTEDT fueled Sweden’s comeback. Björn JOHANNESSEN flew out to end the threat.

Belgium’s offense increased its lead with five runs in the seventh. Dennis RIBBENS kicked things off with a triple, bringing home Benjamin GOUFFAUX. That was followed up by Benjamin DILLE's single, plating Dennis RIBBENS.

Four runs in the bottom of the seventh helped Sweden close its deficit to 9-6. An RBI double by Victor CRONELD, a groundout by JOHNSON, an RBI double by PILEGARD, and a sacrifice fly by Christoffer GRANSTROM set off the Swedish rally. Robbe DE JONGH ended the inning by getting Ricardo MONTERO to ground out.

Report Game 3 - Sweden vs France

France beats Sweden 9-4

Rob HERRMANN drove in four runs, sparking France to a 9-4 victory over Sweden in game 3 at Flanders Invitational Baseball Tournament.

Jakob SYREN couldn't get it done on the hill for Sweden National Team, taking a loss. He allowed seven runs in 3 1/3 innings, walked nine and struck out one. Lucas SERAFIN was in a comfortable situation for France on the way to a win. He allowed four runs over eight innings. He struck out none, walked one and gave up six hits.

The top of the first saw France take an early lead, 1-0. Sweden quickly matched France strong inning with a one-run inning of its own in the first. They scored on an RBI single by MERRIFIELD.
France stayed on top until the final out after taking the lead in the third, scoring three runs on a three-run home run by HERRMANN.

One Swedish baserunners came all the way around to score in each of the third, fifth and sixth. In the third, Sweden scored on a sacrifice fly by Magnus PILEGARD, scoring Joel JOHNSON.

One run in the bottom of the sixth helped Sweden close its deficit to 7-4. A solo home run by MERRIFIELD sparked Sweden’s rally. France stopped the rally after SERAFIN got Oscar HOLMBERG to ground out.

Matthew MERRIFIELD racked up two RBIs on two hits for Sweden. He singled in the first inning and homered in the sixth inning.

Report Game 2 - France vs Belgium

Belgium coughs up lead, France wins 9-8

Belgium jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Dennis RIBBENS kicked things off for Belgium with a single and an error moved him from first to second. The scoreboard lit up for Belgium when DE LANNOY and DILLE scored on a two-run single by ROEVENS.

France starter Jonathan MOTTAY struggled in the beginning of the game, with overall allowing five in six innings, reliever Samuel MEURANT gave up three runs and the offense banged out 12 to pick up the slack and secure the win for France.

Belgian starter Kenny VAN DEN BRANDEN shut down France for five innings. Belgium relievers, DE PERMENTIER and WEEMAELS weren’t able to close down the French offense.

With the score tied at six in the eighth inning, Douglas RODRIGUEZ came to the plate and singled, bringing home Oscar COMBES. The eighth spelled defeat for Belgium, as France grabbed the lead for good. More runners rounded the bases on two solo home runs by PATRUEL and HANVI.
Belgium scored two runs in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Robin ROEVENS and an RBI triple by Benjamin GOUFFAUX.

Unfortunately, Belgium wasn't able to take the lead back. France held off Belgium, as they were unable to overcome a three-run eighth inning deficit.

Both squads had things going at the plate, tallying 17 runs and 21 hits, including four extra base hits. There were seven pitchers used in the game as the two managers searched for any way to finish it off.

Felix BROWN, Jacques BOUCHERON, Arthur PATUREL and Frederic HANVI helped leading French offense. They combined for nine hits and five RBIs.