by Michal Hanus
AVG Draci Brno started their semifinal series against Arrows Ostrava with two wins. On Saturday Draci started with PROCHAZKA on the mound and the Arrows threw BOKAJ. The first runs have been scored in the 3rd inning when the Arrows jumped on the board with one run. In the same inning Draci answered with three points.
In fifth inning Arrows added another run while Draci scored four more and gained a comfortable lead. Later the Arrows added the last run of the ballgame to make it 7-3.
BOKAIJ threw a complete game but took the loss. Draci replaced their starter PROCHAZKA in fifth inning with GAJDOS and later closed it with BLACKMORE.
Sunday’s game was very thrilling and tied 1-1 until the 7th inning. In 7th inning Draci took advantage of errors by the Arrows to jump ahead. Draci won this close game 5-3.
After the starting pitcher SCHNEIDER Draci also used three more hurlers (Blackmore Budsky and Gajdos).
Now Draci only needs one more win to go to their 13th consecutive Extraleague final.
The second semifinal serie between MZLU Express Brno and Krc Altron is still open after first week. Both games have been played in the same stadium as the games of the semifinal between Draci and Arrows.
Saturday’s starters have been JONAK (Krc) and KUBAT (Express). The Express had a much better start in the game and scored 5 runs in the first 4 innings in comparision to Krc’s 3. When Express scored two more runs in 8th inning the game was determined. KUBAT threw a complete game for Express while JONAK was relieved in the 4th. by KUS.
The second game was quite similiar to the first. Express jumped ahead an led after 5 innings with 3-1. But in sixth inning Krc scored three times and turned the game around and Express had to take out their starter JELINEK. HOMOLKA pitched an excellent complete game for Krc winning the game for his club with 9-3 and tying the series up 1-1.
The series continue on Friday (national holiday in Czech Republic) with game three in Ostrava at 2pm and in Prague-Krc at 2pm. If necessary game 4+5 will be played on the weekend.
Both play-off series for retaining in the Czech Extraleague are still opened. Technika lost their Saturday’s game against Black Hill Blansko 0-1. On Sunday confirmed their favourite role and won 8-2. This series also continues on Friday in Blansko at 2pm and on Saturday in Blansko at 2pm. The second series is also tied after 2 games with Skokani Olomouc beating the Tegola Titans on Saturday in Prague with 8-5 and the Twins coming back on Sunday with teh score of 9-8. The Series continues in Prague on Friday at 2pm and on Saturday at 2pm.
Results:
AVG Draci Brno vs. Arrows Ostrava 2-0 (7-3, 5-3)
MZLU Express Brno vs. Krc Altron 1-1 (7-3, 3-9)
Technika Brno vs. Black Hill Blansko 1-1 (0-1, 8-2)
Skokani Olomouc vs. Tegola Titans 1-1 (8-5, 8-9)