NAMUR ANGELS LOSE TWO TO HOBOKEN, SIT AT EVEN .500 FOR SEASON
By: A.P. Beauregard
Despite falling on the short end of both games of a weekend set with the Hoboken Pioneers on May 8th and 9th, losses which extended the Angels losing streak to four games, Namur (5-5 on the season) remained in fourth position in the standings looking ahead to a bye week where the Angels hope to regroup for their next match, the 22nd of May in Antwerp against the Royal Greys.
Game one in Namur was really a game of one inning. Riding 5 hits and 4 runs in the top half of the first, Hoboken’s 4-0 start out of the gate would be all they would need in a 4-1 victory. Despite throwing a complete game for the home team, including 5 consecutive 1-2-3 innings from the third through the seventh frame, Namur starter Shouta Ichinoseki was unable to compensate for the rocky beginning to his afternoon. More apt of a cause for defeat, perhaps, was the home team’s inability to muster much offense at the plate to support Ichinoseki’s strong performance from the second inning onward. The Angels’ first hit of the game didn’t come until the bottom of the sixth, when Gracjan Kraszewski tripled to right-center (he would later score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Thomas Vandenbeele), and for the entire game only two other players where able to reach base via hit; Vandenabeele (1-3) and shortstop Theodore De Bellefroid (1-4).
Pioneers starter Tom Lorrentop went seven strong innings in picking up the victory, while Dennis Ribbens and Randy Giorgiadis spearheaded the offense with two hits apiece.
Sunday’s game would feature more offense from both teams but end in similar fashion to the day before: a Pioneers’ victory, this time by a 9-2 margin.
Amongst the 15 hits registered by the home team, Hoboken was led by the 4-4 performance of centerfielder Steven Delannoy and the 3-4 turned in by shortstop Dennis DeQuimt. Dennis Ribbens, Kevin Verloet, and Sammy Lauwers each posted two hit games as well. Right-hander Terrence Amtomacci came out the winning pitcher in a line that read: 7 innings pitched, 7 strikeouts, and 0 walks.
Despite being the losing pitcher of record for visiting Namur, starter Cedric Desmedt registered 6 strikeouts over equal innings of work. Among the nine hits collected by Angels, Theodore De Bellefroid and Gracjan Kraszewski were both 2-4 on the day. Thomas Vandenabeele, Ronny Heymans, Nicolas Migeot, Adrien Geuquet, and Matthieu Deltombe contributed one base hit apiece.
NAMUR ANGELS DROP PAIR TO K. DEURNE, FALL TO 5-3 ON SEASON
By: A.P. Beauregard
Despite building a 5-0 lead after 5 innings, the Namur Angels were unable to recover from the 6 runs put up in the top of the sixth by visiting K. Deurne as they dropped their first game since the season opener. Losing pitcher Shouta Ichinoseki pitched very well for the hometown Angels only to have his performance undone by some shaky defense.
Saturday, May 1st, opened up very promising for Namur as leadoff hitter Gracjan Kraszewski deposited the second pitch of the game over the right-field wall for a leadoff homerun. Singles by Thomas Vandenabeele and Theodore De Bellefroid put Namur up 3-0 in the first and the game would continue on smoothly and uneventfully until the aforementioned sixth. That inning, riding a mixed combination of hitting and defensive lapses from the Angels, K. Deurne scored all the runs they would put up, and need, in a game which would end 6-5.
Starting pitcher Alexis Marquez went the distance picking up the win for the Spartans while both Morris De Vriendt and Johan Silva contributed 2-4 days at the plate.
The Angels had seven players hit safely on the afternoon headlined by first baseman Ludovic Geuquet who went 3-5.
On Sunday, May 2nd, the teams concluded the weekend series in Deurne and it was pitching which would rule the day on an unseasonably cold and blustery afternoon. Both starters pitched exceptional as Namur righty Cedric Desmedt allowed only 2 runs (both unearned) after six innings of work, while Spartan lefty Roger De Saedeleer carried a no-hitter into the seventh.
Heading into the top half of the seventh and down 2-0, Namur answered when Gracjan Kraszewski doubled to left-field to leadoff the inning. Jerome Sana brought him in with an RBI groundout to first followed by another double to left by shortstop Theodore De Bellefroid. De Bellefroid would even the score moments later on a heads-up play from Angels left-fielder Adrien Geuquet. Having walked to put runners on first and third, Geuquet broke for second and intentionally got in a run-down to allow De Bellefroid time to score from third. Although Geuquet also reached second safely he was unable to advance further and the teams headed to the bottom of the seventh tied 2-2.
Into the bottom of the eighth, the score still unchanged, Alexis Marquez hit a two-run homerun to left off Angels reliever Harold Gerard that proved to be the difference in a 4-2 K. Deurne victory. Relief pitcher Sharlon LeBacks picked up the win with Gerard suffering his first loss of the season (2-1).
Base hits were hard to come by as only four players from both teams combined were able to reach base by such a result. De Bellefroid and Kraszewski were both 1-4 for Namur while Marquez (2-3) and Johan Silva (2-4) provided Deurne’s offensive output.
NAMUR ANGELS IMPROVE TO 5-1 WITH WEEKEND SWEEP OF BRASSCHAAT
By: A.P. Beauregard
Matthieu Deltombe’s 2-strike, 2-out double in the top of the ninth inning put Namur ahead 8-7, a score that would stand final, in a thrilling come from behind victory for the Angels on Saturday, April 24th in Brasschaat. The home Braves jumped out to a 7-1 lead after 2 innings but were unable to score any more runs the remainder of the game thanks to solid pitching from starter Shouta Ichinoseki and Nicolas Migeot, who picked up the win in relief. Steadily chipping away at the lead; 7-4 after 4 innings, 7-5 after 8, the stage was set for a dramatic conclusion to the game. Ronny Heymans led off the top half of the ninth with a walk, Migeot singled, and, amongst a pop-fly and a groundout, left-fielder Thomas Vandenabeele reached base to bring up Deltombe. Heymans had scored to make the deficit one run when Deltombe, down to his last strike, lined a double off the wall in right center to score Migeot and Vandenabeele and give Namur its first lead of the game. That lead turned into a victory when Migeot closed out the bottom of the ninth in one-two-three fashion.
Namur was led offensively by Ludovic Geuquet and Gracjan Kraszewski, both of whom turned in 3-5 performances on the day; Kraszewski adding 2 doubles and a stolen base to his day at the plate. Florentin Goyens, Migeot, and Deltombe all had two hits as well.
Brasschaat, impressive at the plate, had five players register multiple hit games; Hans Heyrman, Erwin Maes, Johnny Peerens, Sintclair White, and Christophe De La Hamayde.
Left-hander Harold Gerard took the ball for Namur in opposition of Braves righty Sintclair White on Sunday, April 25th, and after yielding a run in the first inning did not allow anymore en route to picking up his second victory of the year (2-0) in a 7-1 Angels win. Namur hit well from top to bottom in the line-up, seven players hit safely, with Thomas Vandenabeele’s 3-3 and Jerome Sana’s 3-4 leading the team. Gracjan Kraszewski and Nicolas Migeot both had two hits apiece as well.
Despite scoring just one run, the Braves hit well for the second day in a row recording 8 hits as team. This number, however, was top heavy as two players, Hans Heyrman and Jilles Sel, each picked up three hits apiece.
With the sweep the Angels improved to 5-1 on the season and kept pace with first place Hoboken, who at 4-0 on the season, maintained the top spot in the Belgian First Division.
NAMUR ANGELS RUN WIN STREAK TO 3 AS THEY SWEEP WEEKEND SERIES FROM K. MORTSEL STARS; IMPROVE TO 3-1 ON THE SEASON.
By: A.P. Beauregard
On Saturday, April 17th, the Namur Angels took on the K. Mortsel Stars in Namur. Following a Star run in the top half of the second, the game soon took on the feel of a true pitchers’ duel as Bryan Beutels of Mortsel battled fellow right-hander Shouta Ichinoseki of the Angels. The score remained unchanged (1-0 Stars) heading into the bottom of the 4th and Beutels was pitching outstanding, not having allowed a single hit to this point of the game. Following a leadoff single by Gracjan Kraszewski and a Star error which allowed Namur shortstop Theodore De Bellefroid to reach base, Ronny Heymans laid down a perfect bunt single which loaded the bases with no one out. A Jerome Sana single put Namur on the board and the game remained a 2-1 Angels advantage through 6 innings. In the bottom of the seventh, however, Namur scored 3 decisive runs and would tack on 3 more in the eighth to close out an 8-3 victory.
Japanese right-hander Ichinoseki was dominant throughout; posting 9 strikeouts in a complete game win to bring his record to (1-1) on the season. Beutels took the loss for Mortsel but pitched well striking out 6 in 6 innings of work.
The home side was led by second baseman Florentin Goyens’ 2-5 at the plate, while Heymans, De Bellefroid, Sana, Kraszewski, Adrien Geuquet and Ludovic Geuquet all added one hit apiece.
First baseman Scott Bolcoa led Mortsel with a 2-4 showing at the plate.
The two teams met-up in Morstel for the conclusion of the weekend series on Sunday, April 18th and unlike the previous game it was hitting that would take precedence over pitching.
In the course of a 17-14 slugfest of a victory, the Namur Angels would rack up 16 hits and have six players in the line-up with multiple hit games. Jerome Sana and Ludovic Geuquet would highlight the bunch with three hits a apiece, but it was Sana who played the lead in a 3-4 showing that also saw him score three runs and drive in four. Nicolas Migeot, Gracjan Kraszewski, Theodore DeBellefroid, and Adrien Geuquet all had two hits apiece. Adding to the Angels barrage was centerfielder Matthieu Deltombe who stole three bases on the afternoon.
No less impressive where the bats of the hometown Stars who tallied 13 hits. Headlining the Mortsel offense was Scott Balcoa, who also started the game on the mound, who hit 4-5 with a homerun, three runs scored, 4 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. Teammate and third baseman Cedric Vandesompele went 3-5, all going for extra bases, and scored and drove in 4 runs.
Although the game finished with such a tight margin of victory, this was only made possible by a furious Mortsel comeback in the late innings of the contest. Trailing 16-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Stars put up five in both the seventh and eight innings to bring the score to 16-9 and 17-14, respectively. Although the 32 combined runs and final score were more reminiscent of an American football game, the Angels were pleased to head south with a hard fought win and a season record of 3-1. In a match that featured a total of 6 pitchers combined on the mound, it was Namur right-hander Cedric Desmedt, pitching in relief of starter Harold Gerard, who picked up the win.
NAMUR ANGELS SPLIT OPENING SERIES WITH MERCHTEM CATS
By: A.P. Beauregard
In the Opening Weekend of the 2010 season in the Belgian First Division, the Namur Angels traveled to Merchtem to take on the Cats. Game one, Saturday April 10th , featured a match-up of two foreign pitchers; Japanese right-hander Shouta Ichinoseki of Namur vs. American southpaw Reid Jackson of Merchtem. Namur took the early advantage by plating two runs in the top of the second on the strength of a leadoff single by shortstop Theodore de Bellefroid and a sacrifice fly off the bat of left-fielder Adrien Geuquet. Down 3-0 in the bottom half of the fifth, Merchtem evened the score on 5 consecutive singles, all with two outs nonetheless, finally getting to Ichinoseki who had been all but unhittable to this point of the game. Both pitchers battled on in stellar debuts’ until the deciding run came in the top half of the seventh. Cats’ catcher K. Van Droogenbroeck worked a leadoff walk, got to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ethan Guevin, and stole third on his way home for the deciding run in a game that would end Merchtem 4-Namur 3.
Reid Jackson picked up the complete game win striking out 12 along the way, while Ichinoseki was the hard-luck loser; pitching well over 7 innings and 119 pitches of baseball.
For the home Cats Guevin led the way with a 2-3 performance at the plate, followed by right fielder Jan Cassiman’s 2-4. Along with his tremendous effort on the mound, Jackson helped his own cause by going 2-4 at the plate. For the visiting Angels, de Bellefroid hit 2-4 followed by teammates Ronny Heymans, Matthieu Deltombe, and Nicolas Migeot who each chipped in a hit apiece. Migeot was also very impressive on the mound in relief of Ichinoseki, turning in a 1-2-3 eighth inning including a strikeout.
On Sunday April 12th the two game series between the Angels and Cats was renewed in Namur and the home team would prevail in a 7 inning shortened game by the score of 13-2. Trailing 1-0 in the top half of the second, Merchtem put runners on first and second with no one out. On the ensuing pitch, however, Namur catcher Gracjan Kraszewski was able to pick off the Cats’ runner on second base and the rest was left to the brilliant pitching of Angels left-handed starter Harold Gerard. Over 5 innings of work Gerard allowed 0 runs, struck out 5, and yielded only 2 hits in picking up his first victory of the year. Offensively, it was the long ball that powered the Angels to victory in this game as home runs by Jerome Sana and Remi Gillet accounted for almost half of the scoring output. Sana’s 4th inning grand slam was the highlight of an 8 run inning that pushed the Angels’ advantage to 10-0, and Gillet’s pinch-hit 2-run homer over the left-field wall in the bottom of the seventh gave the home team the 10 run mark necessary to call the game after 7 innings.
Following Sana and Gillet’s home runs, Namur was led at the plate by Adrien Guequet’s 2-2 performance (including reaching base safely all 4 times, 2 hits/2 BB), and by Ludovic Guequet and Nicolas Migeot who also contributed base hits. Pitching the sixth and seventh innings in relief of Gerard, Namur right-hander Cedric Desmedt collected 4 strikeouts.
For Merchtem, right-hander Tom Herinckx took the loss, while the club was paced offensively by Herinckx and Reid Jackson, both of whom had singles.
Angels bolster rotation with Japanese hurler Ichinoseki
The lone D1 club from the South of Belgium has just signed a player from the Land of the Rising Sun.
Namur’s manager very soon established a good communication with Yohkoh Kobayashi, a Japanese agent and the deal was under way for Shouta Ichinoseki, a 22 year old right-handed pitcher from Hokkaido who was looking to play overseas.
Originally looking for a Dutch or Italian club for his client, Kobayashi, a former pro player agreed with the young hurler that Belgium would be a good place to start his European journey.
Ichinoseki has played College baseball in Japan for the strong baseball program from the Aomori University.
During his College career, the 6’0 – 176 lbs pitcher threw 119 strike outs in just 98 innings, allowing only 32 walks and 88 hits, posting a career ERA of 2.20
Injured in the 2009 season, when he was touching 90MPH, the Aomori standout is still sitting in the mid-80s but his main asset is his pinpoint control of an array of pitches.
In his first preparation outing in Europe, he silenced the RCH (former Dutch Major League team) offense for 3 innings securing a 1-0 lead, good for a spot to the final of the Frans Van der Meer Tournament from Rosmalen – Netherlands, where the Angels squad was the only foreign team.
A strong asset for Namur, Ichinoseki, who is signed for a 3-month contract, is looking to climb the ladder and play for a Dutch Major League or IBL ballclub later this season, possibly before the term of his contract, if the deal makes sense for all parties involved.
Ichinoseki retiring the side in order for his former university.
Shouta Ichinoseki before his start in Rosmalen in early April
Dimanche 11 avril
Angels sign switch-hitting catcher Kraszewski
The Angels have added an important piece to the puzzle this Winter by agreeing to a 3-month deal with former King's College catcher/outfielder Gracjan Kraszewski.
Gracjan who recently married to Katy Lunstrum will be the second player King's player to wear black and gold as former team-mate Caleb Calarco also had a succesful stint in Namur in the Spring of 2008.
Kraszewski, concluded a stellar career last May hitting for a career 0.405 average with 8 homeruns, swiping 16 bases in 18 attempts.
He spent last Summer with Ostrawa Arrows, the runner-up in the Czech Extraleague, hitting 0.330 with 2 homeruns and 12 stolen bases.
The Pennsylvannia native should see a lot of action behind the plate but could also be used at 3rd base or in the outfield when needed.
He wil be the third switch hitter on the team, together with 16 year old LFBBS Academy prospects Vandenabeele and Goyens and will add some speed to an already very fast line-up.
Angels lay the foundation for 2010 but get swept again.
The Angels made their way to Hoboken on Saturday looking to salvage what has become a painful second round. They couldn’t turn things around however, as the offense would continue to be anemic .
Hoboken got on the board in the second inning thanks to a hit batsman with the bases loaded. A walk followed, forcing in another run to give the Pioneers a 2-0 lead.
The Hoboken offense was right back at it in the next inning. After two walks and a hit an untimely error scored the final two runs.
Pioneers starter, Terrence Antonacci kept the Angels off the board in his five innings of work. The Pioneers relief efforts were just as solid; keeping the shutout intact over the last four innings.
The Angels failed to amount much of a threat and found themselves on the familiar end of a 4-0 loss.
The good news came from 17 year old speedy back up centerfielder Matthieu Deltombe who went 1 for 3 at the plate with 2 outfield assists.
On Sunday the Angels would fare no better. With it being a meaningless game for both teams it was a chance to have fun and go out on a good note. The Angels offense and defense were lackluster, which had been the story of the playoffs.
One of the lone bright spots was Ludovic Geuquet’s two run single in the fourth inning. The Angels offense awakened a little as they managed to push five runs across during the contest. However, it would not be enough.
The game was used as a chance to get some young talent into the game. Louis Dellieu got the start on the mound and pitched well. He wasn’t helped out by his defense but showed poise and control in what hopes to be a promising future. The same holds true for Edouard Vanheer who relieved the final two innings for the Angels.
The game ended with the score 12-5 in favor of the Pioneers. The game marked the end of a strong season by the Angels, who just couldn’t keep their momentum going in the second round. The Pioneers advance to face the Port of Antwerp Greys for The Belgian title starting next weekend.
Angels can't stop the bleeding against the Braves
On Saturday the Angels hosted the Brasschaat Braves. With all hopes of the Belgian Series disappearing, The Angels desperately needed a win to stay alive.
The game would be a pitcher’s duel between the Angels Nicolas Migeot and Braves starter, Clayton Cooper.
In the second inning the Braves would draw first blood after three straight singles and a throwing error. Migeot limited the damage to only the one run. They pushed another run across in the fifth inning after a leadoff walk and a three base throwing error on Randy Georgiadis’ bunt attempt.
The Angels responded in the bottom of the frame when Jerome Sana was forced in on a walk. The run evened the score 1-1
In the bottom of the sixth inning the Angels would put another run on the board, thanks to a leadoff homerun by Brian Hurld. This would be all the offense the Angels would get as Clayton Cooper kept their bats at bay for the rest of the contest.
The Braves would take the lead in the seventh inning on a single by Erwin Maes. The run would prove to be the game winner.
Cooper finished his complete game five hitter without the Angels mounting much of a threat. The final score, 3-2. The loss eliminated the Angels from contention for the Belgian series as it is now a three team race.
The Angels continued their slide on Sunday against the Braves.
Brasschaat got on the board first in the bottom frame of the 2nd inning thanks to a solo shot from right fielder Chris Ruggenberg.
In the 3rd inning, n° 9 hitter Thomas Van den Eynde started things off with a double to left field. A mishandled bunt advanced him to third before scoring on a sacrifice fly from shortstop Randy Giorgiadis.
In the top of the 4th inning though, Namur was getting back on track. Consecutive walks to Brian Hurld and Jérôme Sana, followed by a bunt single by Ludovic Geuquet loaded the bases with no out.
Young starter Tacco Van den Heuvel balked to advance the runners and allow the Angels’ first run of the day.
Rookie second baseman Florentin Goyens reached on an error by the first baseman scoring Jérôme Sana to tie the game at 2.
Adrien Geuquet then got himself a bunt single to score his brother Ludovic and give Namur a 2-3 lead.
That was the end of the day for Braves’ starter as he was relieved by lefty Yannick Sel.
Sel didn’t waste time retiring the next 3 hitters to keep his team into the game.
In the bottom of the 4th, DH Erwin Maes led off the inning with a single to left.
With 2outs, things got ugly as the Angels defense make back to back errors to allow Maes to tie the game 3-3.
After a quiet 5th inning, things got worse for Namur as the Braves scored 3 runs on 1 hit, 1 walk and 3 errors 3-6.
Angels starter Brian Hurld was lifted in the 7th and 16 year old Edouard Van Heer was getting his first appearance for the Angels on the mound. Things started well for the strong 1.90m righty as the retired n° 4 hitter on a pop fly and n°5 Erwin Maes recording his 1st division 1 strike out.
He loaded the bases on a walk, a hit batsman and an infield single before getting another strike-out to end the inning.
Things didn’t go as smoothly for the young hurler in the 8th inning as he allowed 3 consecutive singles before Hans Heyrman smoked an outside pitch over the right-centerfield fence.
SS Todd Emr came in to pitch and took care of business by retiring the next 3 batters on a pop fly and a timely double play.
In the 9th, another top Angels’ prospect, Thomas Vandenabeele walked to start things off and scored on a long 2-out single by veteran catcher Ronny Heymans before Emr lined out to end the game on score of 10-4.
Brian Hurld took the loss, allowing 5 hits, 1 walk, 2 strike-outs for 2 earned runs in 6 innings.
Yannick Sel was awarded the win with 3 hits, 1 walk, 5 strike-outs for 1 earned run in 6 innings.
Namur will face the leader, Pioneers next week, hoping to close the book on 2009 on a good note.