Monthly Archives: August 2015

Hot Bats and hot bats beat Sharks

The Sharks regional team were outplayed Sunday by a very strong, regular season winners, Karlskoga Bats despite good outings by the Sharks’ pitching staff.

The Bats were quick to take advantage of any miscues by the home team and the first game ended with a 14-0 loss in five innings.

In the sixth inning of game 2, with a win still within reach thanks to a strong start by rookie pitcher Shervin Shakki, the Sharks threatened. The Sharks put the first two batters on base, setting the table for the team’s hot-hitting first baseman Joel Earnest.

Earnest, however, was cooled off. He promplu smashed a low liner to the left side of the infield which fell right in to the glove of the Bats’ shortstop, setting off a rally-killing triple play.

Final score of game two was 11-6.

The Sharks have a make up game, tentatively set for September 26, with Malmö Pilots still to play. That will also be the last chance to see some Sharks baseball this season.

Two Earnests is better than one Norderum

The slow starting Sharks finished the Elite series season swimmingly.
Three pitchers combined to one hit the Heat.

As usual, Göteborg Hajarna was slow out from the start in the first game of the double header with Sundbyberg Heat on Saturday. Behind starter Hiba Nabi they didn’t do much of anything.

The only highlight was when Joel Earnest, 67, was sent in to pinch run for the 17 year old Trolle Brandt. Earnest, whom probably spent a million years in the minors, came around to score making Coleman Lukas look like the manager of the year.

“This Elite series thing ain’t so hard”, Earnest said.

Hajarna lost game one 16-2.

Game two was a whole different affair. Jason Norderum started game two for the Sharks – The Heat probably wished he hadn’t.

With pinpoint command and his curve ball working excellent, the only worry the Sharks defense had was if they would stay awake on the defensive side. Norderum allowed one hit (which this reporter probably would have called an error) while striking out 15 and walking two in six innings of work.

“As a pitcher, it is my job to see if a hitter is timid, scared or unprepared. If I found out that information it’s also my job to remind him of everything as he steps in to the box”, Norderum said.

“Oh, and I love you mom! That win was for you”, a delirious Norderum added.

In relief came the slightly older Joel Earnest for his first Elitserien appearance on the mound. He promptly gave up three walks to load the bases and left it for his son two figure it out.

And figure it out he did, but maybe not in the way you would expect it.

After striking out the first batter, the second Heat batter lined out to big daddy Joel Earnest in left field who fired a throw to third for the classic 7-5 double play.

“Hey, I gotta help the kid out”, Joel Earnest said.