The Ghana National Baseball League, with sponsors like Jodi Construction, Efidan Farms, B Foster Bread, TW Radio, Verna Mineral Water, Club 161, Keio University and Vibe Deodorant, saw 2 great matches at the Koshien Baseball field at Labone on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
The match between Shai Osudoku Hawks Baseball Club and leaders Tema Tigers was highly-tensed as the youngsters came with cheers and intimidation but the Tigers proved they had better claws to scratch better, beating the Hawks by 4-1.
The Hawks, managing just a run in the bottom of the 3rd innings by Brain Martey, conceded 2 base runs in the top of the first innings, courtesy Solomon Addison and Samuel Baah.
The 2nd innings saw both clubs pitching and fielding tight to prevent any run, while the Tigers had a 2-0 advantage.
Maxwell Owusu who pitched for Shai Osudoku Hawks, tormented the Tigers, as he was so accurate and dismissed many players, but his team mate did not make successful runs, to replicate his performance.
Pitcher for Tema Tigers, Henry Nikoi was equal to the task as usual, with his experience and exposure, while many batters were caught on the field.
Tema Tigers completed 2 more base runs; Abdoul-Hakim and Melchizedek run to base with smiles, knowing their experience paid off, while the Osudoku Hawks kept cheering although they were down.
In the earlier match played, consistent runs by LD Dodgers in the bottom of the 3rd innings ensured their smooth 23-11 victory against Tema Giant Hitters.
At the top of the first innings, Gideon Henodzie and Andrew Nyanyo made 2 runs for Tema Giant Hitters, but LD Dodgers responded with 4 successive runs, from Bernard Koomson, Ernest Yemo, Ebenezer Tetteh and Francis Okoe.
The 2nd innings saw a tie (5-5), with the Giant Hitters coming back strongly in the top of the innings, while LD Dodgers remained resolute. Coach Sherrif Mohammed exhibited his experience, adding to Gideon, Justice Dornyo, Ralph Adotey and Richard Arthur’s runs.
There were consistent runs from Bernard Koomson, Ebenezer Tetteh and Francis Okoe, while Joseph Nai and Alexandre Koranteng made their first successful base runs for LD Dodgers.
The 3rd innings saw Philip Okyere making his first run for the Hitters, who scored a total of 4 runs while Godwin Tetteh and Edmund Ackom pitched so well for LD Dodgers to hinder more runs from the Giant Hitters.
It went to the wire, as LD Dodgers scored 14 more runs, in the bottom of the 3rd innings to seal their first victory and with Lawrence Bafour adding his name to the scoresheet, while Kenneth Alimo became the only player who could not make any run in the entire game.
While Coach Sheriff Mohammed mounted the hill to pitch, later supporting Richard Arthur and Justice Dornyo, LD Dodgers were already on cloud 9.
With the league set to return in October and paving way for the Baseball5 Youth team World cup preparations, the 2nd Koshien Championship and Coaches Clinic, Tema Tigers are top of the table with 9 points, followed by Shai Osukodu Hawks with 3 points after 2 matches. LD Dodgers lie 3rd with 3 points and Tema Giant Hitters are bottom with no point, after 3 matches.
The Ghana National Baseball League will bounce back bigger and better, with Tema Giant Hitters seeking their first victory, while LD Dodgers and Shai Osudoku Hawks battle for the top spot from leaders, Tema Tigers.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
