Boris Bokaj leads Czech Republic to first win

The Czech Republic outscored, 11-1 in eight innings, South Africa and earned the first win in the Baseball Europe Africa Qualifier. Boris Bokaj pitched seven solid innings and earned the win. Left fielder Martin Muzik had a six-RBI game.

South Africa got on the scoreboard first in the top of the second. Second baseman Brett Willemburg reached on a two-out single. Designated hitter Rowan Ebersohn followed with a base hit and took him to third and centre fielder Andrew Norman singled in the go-ahead run.

The Czech Republic reversed the lead in the bottom of the fourth against starter Robert Lewis-Walker. Catcher Petr Cech reached thanks to a one-out double and left fielder Martin Muzik walked. Right fielder Jakub Malik became a second out on a deep fly to left. Both runners advanced. South Africa challenged the safe call at second, but the on-field review confirmed the umpire’s call. First baseman Daniel Vavrusa doubled to left and made it 2-1.

The Czechs opened the score against South Africa’s bullpen. A defensive error and a towering pop fly that fell in the bottom of the fifth helped the Czech Republic load the bases for Muzik, who hit a two-RBI single off Kevin Townend.

The next time Muzik stepped to the box with the bases loaded he homered to left field to extend the gap to ten runs and walk the game off according to the international mercy rule.