OSLOPRETENDERS

Norwegian Baseball League 2013 Championship Series

 

The Oslo Pretender Rascals took two of three games from the league’s new upstart, Alna, at Rommen Field in fine baseball weather. All three games were hard-fought battles of nerves and will.   

 

Game One, Rascals Win 10-9

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013:

A strong pitching performance by SP Leif Petter Sandvik and some clutch two-out hitting propelled the Rascals past Alna in the series opener. Leif Petter led the Rascals by pitching a complete game (pitching stats pending) and ripping an RBI double in the first inning. 1B Darren McKellep drove in half the Rascals’ 10 runs – all with 2 outs – by dropping in a 2-run single in the 3rd inning and a bases-clearing double to left-center in the 6th. Those last 3 runs proved crucial as Alna answered with 3 runs in the 7th inning before the Rascals retired the final batsman.   
 

Glenn Wells blasted a warning-track double and scored twice in the victory. Luis Lara racked up 3 singles for an RBI and scored twice, while Erik Svensson also crossed the plate twice. The second-base platoon of Anders Tveten and Florentino Hernandez went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

 

Game Two, Alna Wins 8-7

SP Osmani Perez, who had control problems yet struck out several batters, took the loss in the second game on Saturday. Meanwhile, Rascal batters collected just 6 hits off Alna’s fireballer Geraldo, who struck out 7 while allowing 2 walks and 2 hit batsmen. OF Raul Bonilla and 2B Kazuhiko Yamada each cracked an RBI double in the loss.

 

Alna knotted the score in the bottom of the 7th on gutsy baserunning by speedster Angelo, who scored from third base on a pitch in the dirt that catcher Terje Hoaas blocked but couldn’t locate in time. The Dominicans then hit a walk-off infield single to even the series at one game each and force a Game 3 showdown on Sunday.

 

Deciding Game Three, Rascals Win 15-13

Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013:

All Rascal hopes rested on SP Kaz Yamada’s arm for the championship finale. The Japanese transplant rose to the challenge, tossing a complete game (stats pending) and driving in 3 runs from the plate. The Rascals’ lineup wasted no time in lighting up the scoreboard, batting around for an 8-run first inning. Leadoff hitter Terje, after having singled in his first at-bat of the inning, lined a dramatic 2-out, bases-loaded triple past a diving left fielder, then added an RBI single in the 4th. LF Erik the Swede went 3 for 3 (including a near homer) with a HBP and scored three runs. SS Glenn drew 3 walks and 3B Luis Lara scored 3 times. 

 

The Alna squad showed great sportsmanship after the series with smiles and congratulations. In its first year of existence, Alna won the 2013 Norgesmesterskap (NM) – a feat to be admired and congratulated – and the Pretenders are looking forward to the challenge of many competitive wood-bat games with the demonstrative Dominicans in the future.

 

Umpire Peter Bonovich presided over all 3 matchups, his last games in Norway. The Pretenders wish Peter all the best in Wisconsin and we thank him heartily for his many years of dedication to raising the level of Norwegian baseball by training a competent corps of umpires and leading by example on the field. We will truly miss Peter’s expert knowledge of the rules and his strict yet cheerful demeanor behind the plate! 

 

Note: This was the Oslo Pretenders' 16th NBL title.

For more pictures from the finals, please visit our