HERTS PULLS INTO FOUR-WAY TIE FOR BRIT LEAGUE LEAD

The Hertfordshire Falcons certainly aren’t playing like an expansion team. The British National League’s newest franchise posted a pair of victories over the Richmond Flames last Sunday at Grovehill Ballpark to create a four-way logjam at the top of the league standings. Kimiyoshi Saionji clubbed a walkoff double to drive in Darrin Ward from first base in the bottom of the seventh to give Herts a 7-6 win in the opener. Ward then took the mound in the second game, and struck out the side in the top of the seventh to preserve a 5-4 win to become the third British League pitcher to reach three wins in 2009, joining Richmond’s Michael Osborn and Henry Collins of Bracknell.

Four teams share first place, with 5-3 Bracknell having a higher winning percentage than Herts and London, who are both 6-4, and 7-5 Richmond. Croydon is in last with an 0-8 record.