AUSTRIA – The Bern Cardinals moved closer to capturing their second Confederation of European Baseball (CEB) tournament crown in as many years with a convincing 15-3 thrashing of the Mosquito Athletics Wednesday at the European Cup Qualifier (Pool 3) in Attnang-Puchheim, Austria.

Bern (3-0), which is eyeing an unprecedented fifth straight Swiss League championship this season, manhandled the Austrian champion with Johnny Perigos going 3-fo-4 with a homer and six RBIs to deal the Athletics (2-1) their first loss..

Severin Fries scattered three runs and four hits ove seven innings to claim the win.

BK KRANJSKI LISJAKI 17, ZAGREB B.C. 7

The Slovenian squad erased an early 4-0 deficit with a pair of big innings to deal Zagreb (1-2) their second consecutive setback. Aljaz Triler knocked in three runs on four hits while Jesus Delgado chipped in four RBIs for Kranjski Lisjaki (2-1).

BLAGOEVGRAD BUFFALOES 21, A.C. AINOS KEFALONIA 4

The Bulgarian champion picked up their first win of the tournament with a 21-4 drubbing over the Greek squad. Martin Andonov ignited the offensive attack for Blagoevgrad (1-2) with four hits and three RBIs, while Krum Temelkov drove in four runs and Petar Petrov drilled a home run.

STANDINGS

European Cup Qualifier Pool 1 – Ostrava, Czech Republic

MGPU-SYOS 12, VOJVODE 0

The Russian champion stayed unbeaten with their second straight shutout. MGPU starter Evgeny Khazov pitched a four-hitter to get the win, while teammates Maxim Monakhov and Alexey Veshkin combined for eight hits and five RBIs.

BC JUADAS VIKINGAS 7, BREST ZUBRS 1

The Lithuanian champion knocked the Belarus team from the unbeaten ranks behind a dominant outing by Aleksandr Trofimenko. The left-hander, who also chipped in a pair of RBIs with the stick, went the distance allowing only four hits while stiking out 15.

ARROWS OSTRAVA 14, AMZ KUTNO 2

Filipino southpaw Jon-Jon Robles retired all 18 batters he faced – including 12 strikeouts – to lead the Czech squad past the Polish champion. Reliever Jiri Gal completed the no-hitter despite allowing two unearned runs in just one inning on the hill.

STANDINGS

European Cup Qualifier Pool 2 – Trnava, Slovakia

KNTU-OSVSM 9, OBUDA BRICK FACTORY 0

Maksym Lisnitsky tossed a seven-hitter with nine strikeouts to lead the Ukraine champion to an easy win over the Hungarian title-holder. Maksym Symchyna continued swinging the bat well going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, and Dmytro Nelipa scored three runs for KNTU.

ATLETICO ALEXANDRIA 10, KARLSKOGA BATS 8

The Romanian champion erupted for eight runs in the second to deal the Swedish squad their second setback. Constantin Fetcu and Alexandru Opincarlu led Atletico with two RBIs apiece. American player/coach Heath Herron and Henrik Johansson both homered for Karlskoga.

VINDIJA VARAZDIN 3, TJ STU TRNAVA 2

The Croatian squad remain unbeaten with a norrow win over the Slovakian champion. Greg Harder went the distance allowing five hits while registering 12 strikeouts to get the win. Benjamin Prather, who stroked four hits a day earlier, tallied three more hits for Vindija.

STANDINGS

European Cup Qualifier Pool 4 – Antwerp, Belgium

LAUSANNE INDIANS 21, ALMADA WHITE SHARKS 20

The Swiss team rallied for seven runs in the final inning to earn their first win of the tournament despite missing several key sluggers. Marte Torres enjoyed a big day at the plate with four hits, a homer, and nine RBIs, while Jay Casimiro drove in four runs.

OSLO PRETENDERS 5, ESPOO EXPOS 4

45-year-old Luis Lara capped a four-run ninth with a walk-off RBI single to lift the Norwegian champion to a stunning comeback win against the Finnish title-holder. Kasey Kuhlmeyer went the distance and fanned 15 to post the win.

MANNHEIM TORNADOS 6, HOBOKEN PIONEERS 0

Rene Franke pitched a five-hit shutout and the Germans remained unbeaten while dealing the Belgian squad their first setback of the week-long tournament. Martin Dewald had three hits and American middle infielder Billy Hess knocked home a pair of runs for Mannheim.

STANDINGS

Photo courtesy of Lausanne Indians Baseball Club

Tags: E-Cup Qualifier