Richmond Baseball Club

RICHMOND, LONDON - Richmond Baseball Club will celebrate its 20th league season with our awards night on November 24th at the Old Ship in Richmond. Team and club awards, voted by players and club management will be presented as we celebrate our season and look forward to an even better 2013. 

All registered club members will get an email shortly with voting details and further information. Please clear your calendar for one of the best nights of the year!

RICHMOND, LONDON - 

Dragons travelled to the south coast knowing that a sweep against local AA South Pool A rivals Mustangs II in the July 22nd double header could put them in to the final playoff spot in the standings with only three weeks left of the regular season.

The away side started well as initial control problems by home ace Simbajon allowed Guyett, Kim and Ellis to draw walks in the first frame, leading to two runs. Dragons' ace Per Nilsson-Eklöf started strongly, holding the home side scoreless in the first four innings, backed up by solid defense, as the Dragons tacked on another four runs. The Mustangs began to fight back in the 4th, scoring four runs on line drives by Simbajon and third baseman Finney as eight Mustangs batted in the frame. After a scoreless reply by the Dragons, the Mustangs then tied the game in the 5th with two more doubles, again by Simbajon and by Taylor.

With Simbajon running on fumes, the Dragons took advantage of a defensive mis-cue by the home side in the top of the last inning by taking the lead through runs scored by catcher Joby Thomas and Nilsson-Eklöf. 

Returning veteran Brad Harris came in to close out the game, but despite some brilliant pitches he loaded the bases on three walks, setting the plate for Taylor, who with his second double of the game - and only the fifth hit by the home side all game - cleared the bases for a walk-off 9-8 victory. 

After 15 mins of re-focusing, the Dragons began game two determined to leave the coast with a win. With home ace Wrigley missing on the day, the Mustangs turned to their third pitcher Finney. Patient batting by the Dragons in the first frame was enough to put the game out of reach as 15 Dragons came up to bat, drawing seven walks and scoring ten runs. 

Harris, sharp after the tough blown save in game 1, mixed fastballs and breaking balls, limiting the home side to three hits and the Dragons defense continued their strong performance. Woo Kim relieved in the fifth inning, going 1-2-3 with two K's and a ground out on 11 pitches to close out the game in a non-save situation. Simbajon scored the Mustangs only run in a shortened mercy-rule game, but the Dragons left Southampton rueing what could have been. 

Although a post-season spot is still a possibility, the Dragons now have to rely on other teams helping them out while aiming to win out the season, aiming for an 8-11 record in what is clearly the tougher of the two pools in AA South. 

The Mavericks (14-0) and the Piranhas (12-1) have already sown up post-season places and Bisons (6-4) are also more or less certain while Mustangs II (6-8), Pirates (5-7) and Dragons (4-11) fight for the final spot. 

Dragons travel to Croydon to face the Tigers in the last double header of the season this coming Sunday, before single games against Sidewinders and Brentwood close out the season. 

RICHMOND, LONDON - 

Richmond Dragons fell 17-11 to London Mammoths on Saturday at Finsbury Park despite racking up 10 hits and 11 runs.

Jon Guyett led Richmond Dragons' offensive threat, as he got on base five times in the game. He singled in the fourth and fifth innings.

Matt Cartwright recorded the win for London Mammoths. He allowed two runs over four innings. Cartwright struck out four, walked one and gave up one hit.

Yves Schwarzbart, Bob Laflamme, Sean Bennett and Neil Grierson helped lead London Mammoths. They combined for 11 hits and 10 RBIs.

"We battled through the entire game and were within reach until the very end", said Nick Hadley, Dragons' Manager. "Per kept us in the game all day and Jon played phenomenally in the lead-off spot. In the end we have to give credit to a strong Mammoths side. Hopefully we can see them again in the post season."

"Partially Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved." 

RICHMOND, LONDON, May 21 - Playing possibly the best baseball of the young season, the Dragons went into the last frame against league leaders Poole on Sunday with the chance of the upset of the season. 

As ace Per Nilsson-Eklöf took the mound, relieving starter Woo Kim who had baffled the Piranhas, the Dragons side needed only 3 outs to take the first game of the double header. However, Dragons were facing the heart of the order and Poole starter Velazco took the opportunity to avoid getting the "L" on the scoresheet by tying the game with a double, driving in SS Hall. 

With catcher Gonzalez and Bertran following with consecutive singles, before the frame was over, Poole emerged as winners 5-4. 

In the second game, whilst trying to gather their emotions, Dragons also faced one of the best pitchers in AA as Shannon Hall shut down the Dragons bats with his sharp slider. 

Althought he score line will state two wins to the visting side, on-lookers will know it could very easily have been different. 

"We were three outs away from one of the bigget upsets this year, but unfortunately a game consists of 21 outs (ed: in a 7 inning game), not 18." said Dragons Nick Hadley after the game. 

"Although I might sound like a broken record, we took yet another step forward this weekend. I know we're not far from breaking out the big bats and when we do that and pitch and field like we have been doing, we'll beat anyone in this league." 

The Dragons host Pool B opponents Kent Mariners at Connare Field on Sunday the 27th of May. 

On a gloriously sunny May day, Richmond Dragons hosted Kent Mariners at Connare Field on Sunday in one of seven intra-pool games in the 2012 campaign. After beginning the season 0-2 against Pool B opponents, the ever improving Dragons jumped out to an early lead against the Kent side and by scoring 19 runs in the first three innings, Richmond Dragons left no doubt about the eventual outcome.

With the previously struggling bats coming to life, the home side showed their true potential at the plate. Two through Four in the order; veteran Woo Kim and  newcomers James Ellis and Dylan James, combined for a remarkable 10-for-14 day with two doubles, two triples and 10 RBI. Ellis put himself in scoring position with three extra-base hits on the day.

"This is more like what I expect from this team, especially on the offensive side. Even with our ace Per Nilsson being called up to our AAA side for the day, Woo and Scott did well on the mound and our bats came to life", said Manager Nicholas Hadley. 

Although the Dragons defense struggled on occasion, the team backed up the pitching duo of Woo Kim and Scott Phillips, who got the win for Richmond side. Phillips allowed two runs over four innings, striking out four, walked four and gave up two hits.

"We had a few more errors than I'd like, but we played with confidence and if we combine the defense and pitching from earlier weeks with the batting from today we could beat anyone in this league on the day. We're a few games out, but are definitely aiming for one of the four playoff spots" finished Mgr Hadley.

The Dragons now have a week off over the bank holiday before going to Croydon for a double header on June 10th against the Pirates III.

Partially "Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved."