It was in many aspects a new Göteborg Hajarna that travelled to Karlskoga for the season opener.
Unfortunately, it was without a winning approach.
With the introduction of the South West Baseball League (SWBL) Göteborg Hajarna (0-2) came better prepared than to any season in recent memory. It’s been all winning for the Sharks in the friendly, spring training like games of the SWBL.
The Karlskoga Bats (2-0) was not going to be that easy.
The Swedish champions from 2012 pounded Hajarna starter Mokhlad Al-Ghanimi (0-1), who made his competitive debut in the Gothenburg jersey, and never looked back. Al-Ghanimi allowed all of the 18 Karlskoga runs (11 earned), gave up 11 hits, 10 walks but also struck out six.
Kent Karlsson (1-0) and Jesper Joelsson combined to no-hit the Sharks over five innings for the first win of the day.
In the second game, Hajarna actually came in to the second inning with a 3-0-lead but to no avail. Karlskoga Bats eventually got to Mikael Lindquist (0-1) who gave up 8 runs (2 earned) and reliever Shervin Shakki. Karlskoga took the game in the fifth with a 15-3 score.
Shakki did produce at the plate, going 0-1 with two walks and a run scored. The bright spot in the Sharks offense was the patience at the plate with the team combining for 5 walks in the second game.
“We can do better, much better”, newly appointed coach Jonny Edgren says.
Next up is SWBL games on May 14th against Jönköping and Kungsbacka. Next up in the regional series is an away game to Stockholm B on May 22.
Also, this reporter apologizes for the late recap and promise he will do better.