Athlone Athletics run riot in 18–1 rout of Battswood

Mark Ward

Athlone Athletic may be out of the running for Major League honours this season, but the Athlone-based side underlined their intent to remain a formidable force in the competition with a ruthless 18–1 demolition of Battswood in a Cape Town Baseball Federation fixture at Parktown on Saturday.

The A’s wasted little time asserting their dominance, breaking the contest open with a devastating nine-run rout in the bottom of the second inning. The rally was sparked when Luca Alexander crossed home plate off a hit from Faizel Moosa, setting the tone for what became a one-sided affair.

Battswood starting pitcher Reagan Barnes endured a torrid afternoon on the mound, surrendering eight hits and allowing 14 walks over five innings as Athlone’s aggressive batting lineup relentlessly applied pressure.

Alexander led the charge with the bat, finishing with a flawless 3-for-3 batting performance that included two RBIs. Moosa was equally influential, driving in five runs to cap a commanding display by the home side.

On the pitching front, Yusuf Gelant gave Athlone a solid platform, starting on the mound before Chad Morkel took over in the top of the fourth inning to close out proceedings and maintain the stranglehold on Battswood’s offence.

The emphatic victory lifts Athlone Athletic into fifth place on the league standings and provides further evidence that, despite their title challenge having faded, the team remains intent on building momentum and laying down a marker ahead of next season’s campaign.

Elsewhere in the league, log leaders Bellville are set to square off against Bothasig on Saturday, while an intriguing clash between VOB and Durbanville awaits at Chukker Road. Crusaders will host Athlone Athletic, with Thistle and Battswood also locked in a crucial encounter in Ottery.