by Goran Supraha
After difficulty in semi finals against Olimpija Karlovac last year champion Nadu SSM Split in finals of Croatian championship play against BK Zagreb, which this year strengthened the position of pitcher with Ernesto Pereira, and for the coach Mike Hartley (last year he led the Heidenheim Heidekoepfe).
Since BK Zagreb was expected to be a very difficult opponent because they assembled a quality team this season where they had major role players who play baseball 20 or more years so that the gaming experience was on their side while individual quality was on the side of Nada SSM .
Already in the first game you could see that this will be an interesting series. The game in which everything is up to the last change seemed like an easy win BK Zagreb. Before the last offense of Nada SSM Split BK Zagreb led 10-5, but Nada SSM woke up and operated 5 runs to lead the game in extra innings. In extra innings Nada SSM had a chance to take the first win, but they did not take advantage of what would be said to BK Zagreb who immediately took her and came to the first victory in the series, which has played in four victories.
In the second game Nada SSM – Split started the match well and leads till third inning 5-0, but as they are thought to be easy to win (which is otherwise impossible in any sport) Zagreb coach changes starting pitcher for Dean Marin, which is successfully stopped the otherwise strong attack Nada SSM. By the end of the game on the field we could see only one team and BK Zagreb who deservedly took another “donated” winning the final score of 17-6.
The final series was continued for two days in Zagreb, when it was believed that Nada SSM – Split can not play so bad any more on the mound for BK Zagreb found Mike Hartley who had received only four hits through the entire game and took a valuable third victory in Zagreb and score of 12-2. Congratulations to a man who is 50 years old while the guests from Split started inexperienced and young Andrija Jaksic (18 years) who literally fell apart in the second amendment when it receives four runs, and it changes the “wounded lion” Dabo Matko that despite the injury and loss did a great game to end.
In the fourth game for which most Zagreb players thought it was the last in the series Nada SSM – Split decided to finally show the baseball which one they played the entire season. Throughout the game home and guests are alternated in the lead, and when the host has already begun to celebrate and when the result is 7-5 for BK Zagreb in the ninth inning players Nada SSM – Split included in this latest offense totally unencumbered and working elusive five points 10:7 for the first victory in the series.
Returning final series in Split Nada SSM had the opportunity to reduce the score to 3-2 in games, but that day everything was on the side of Zagreb. Nada SSM – Split begins furiously and quickly took the lead with 3-1. Zagreb does not give up and wants at all costs to complete a series victory in this game but Nada SSM Split defense did to many errors. Split are just not allowed to return to Zagreb to play but to lead with 5-4. Nada SSM once again returns to 5-5, but the Split as if they expected to win it happen by itself. By the end of the game runs on BK Zagreb 9-5 while Nada SSM once again trying to make a turn in the ninth inning, but not this time it was too late.