13-05-2025
Baseball: Taunton Pistols suffer double defeat against Exeter Spitfires
The Taunton Pistols suffered a double defeat against the Exeter Spitfires on Sunday, May 11.
The Spitfires, who remain undefeated in the South West and Wales Baseball League, took both games 18-10 and 11-10.
The Pistols had set out to extend their promising start to the season, which had seen them secure a 5-3 record.
The first game saw the Pistols take an early lead, scoring five runs in the first innings.
However, their momentum was checked by the Spitfires, who hit back and took control of the game.
The visitors' efforts were centred around teenager Jake Meads, who notched three hits, including a triple, and batted in four runs.
A late pitching change by the Spitfires proved decisive, securing them an 18-10 victory.
The second game of the double-header started in the opposite vein, with the Spitfires taking an early lead.
However, the Pistols bounced back with two big innings, giving them a 10-7 lead after three innings.
Sensing an upset, the Spitfires brought in former Triple A pitcher Mike Osborn, whose presence stifled the Pistols' offence.
A late rally from the Spitfires, scoring four across the last two innings, secured an 11-10 walk-off win.
Connor Colman, Pistols assistant manager, said after the game: "We made some great plays in the field and had some solid contact with the bat.
"We're really proud of how we played today, two close games that required them to bring in their best players to beat us."
Despite the defeats, the Pistols had plenty of standout performances.
Archie Ginbey was recognised for his pitching debut, which included two strikeouts in the first innings.
Harry Cave's three hits, including a double to left centre field and four runs batted in, kept the second game close throughout.
The results leave the Pistols with a 5-5 record, positioning them third in the Wessex Division standings, just above the Newton Abbot Brewers, who they play next.
The Pistols will have to wait until Sunday, June 1 to face the Brewers, while the Muskets will host their first home game of the season on Sunday, May 18 when they welcome the Bristol Bats to Taunton Green.
