Northants Baseball Club

Centurions Split Double Header in Testing Chelmsford Heat
Resilience, debut impact, and extraordinary effort define a dramatic day in Division 5 East
Northants Centurions Maroon endured a gruelling afternoon in Chelmsford, battling both the Essex Redbacks and intense 33°C heat to come away with a split double header—claiming a hard-fought win in Game One before a dramatic and heartbreaking defeat in Game Two.
With just ten players making the trip and key absentees reducing both batting and pitching options, the day demanded resilience, adaptability, and significant individual contributions across the board.
⚾ Game 1 – Centurions Edge High-Scoring Shootout (15–13)
The opener developed into a chaotic offensive battle, with Northants ultimately securing a 15–13 victory by combining timely hitting with exceptional plate discipline.
Despite only registering 10 hits, the Centurions capitalised fully on Redbacks’ control struggles, drawing 7 walks and scoring consistently across the lineup.
🔥 Offensive Standouts
Production was spread throughout the order:
Drew Fisher led the way with 4 RBI, continuing his strong form
Vito Orlando delivered a key 3 RBI, including a triple
Max Miller marked his debut with 2 RBI and a hit
Jake Harris impressed in his first outing with 2 hits and an RBI
Simon Shaw reached base consistently, scoring 3 runs and posting a perfect average on the day
Additional contributions from CJ Porter and Ben Edmond ensured pressure was maintained throughout.
⚾ On the Mound
Pitching was heavily tested in the heat:
Alfie Mackenzie‑Watson battled through 1.2 innings, striking out 5 to earn the win
Ben Edmond provided relief during a difficult middle stretch
Max Miller produced a standout moment, throwing a scoreless inning with 2 strikeouts to help secure the game
🧠 Game Flow
With both teams drawing 16 walks apiece, control proved elusive across the board. The Centurions’ ability to:
Take free bases
Deliver key hits
Hold their nerve late on
proved decisive in securing the opening win.
⚾ Game 2 – Twelve-Run Rally Not Enough in Heartbreaker
Game Two brought even more drama—and ultimately heartbreak.
With pitching options limited following Game One (and regulations preventing reuse), Drew Fisher stepped up to open on the mound, before Vito Orlando took over for the bulk of the game. With no other options remaining late on, CJ Porter was forced into action to close.
🔄 Early Struggles
The Redbacks again capitalised on control issues, drawing an extraordinary 23 walks, putting constant pressure on the Centurions’ pitching staff.
💥 The Turning Point – A 12-Run Inning
In a remarkable response, the Centurions produced a 12-run inning, showcasing resilience and offensive firepower despite the conditions.
Key contributors included:
Drew Fisher (3 RBI, 2 hits, 4 runs scored)
Jake Harris (2 RBI on another impressive showing)
Josh Boswell (2 hits, RBI)
Alfie Mackenzie‑Watson (2 hits, 3 runs scored)
Martin Maloney, called into action, contributing a hit, RBI, and scoring twice
It was a superb collective effort that briefly turned the game in Northants’ favour.
⚾ On the Mound
Drew Fisher opened under extremely difficult circumstances
Vito Orlando delivered a battling performance, striking out 3 across 88 pitches, shouldering the majority of the workload
CJ Porter took the ball late as options ran out
A key moment came with Orlando reaching 88 pitches, before being withdrawn—despite potentially having capacity to face at least one more hitter (with a known approximate max of 95+). It proved a pivotal decision in a tight contest.
🧠 Defining Moments & Circumstances
Fatigue, heat, and limited options told late in the game, as Essex regained control and edged the contest 19–18 despite the Centurions’ remarkable fightback.
Adding to the extraordinary nature of the game, Aimee Bruce was forced to leave the field during play in order to assist a distressed and intoxicated individual on the sidelines, prioritising welfare in a situation that required immediate attention.
Her actions were recognised by both teams, earning her unanimous MVP votes from the Redbacks, a reflection of sportsmanship and character beyond the game itself.
🔥 Key Performances Across the Day
Drew Fisher – Outstanding offensive output across both games and stepped up on the mound when required
Vito Orlando – Key batting contributions in Game 1 and shouldered major pitching responsibility in Game 2
Max Miller – Impressive debut, contributing at the plate and delivering a composed, scoreless inning in Game 1
Jake Harris – Strong debut across both games with consistent hitting
Alfie Mackenzie‑Watson – Led Game 1 effort and contributed heavily offensively in Game 2
Aimee Bruce – Recognition for exceptional sportsmanship in extraordinary circumstances
🧠 Battling the Conditions
The 33°C heat had a significant impact, particularly on pitchers, with limited rotation options forcing extended outings.
With just ten players—and absentees including Mobley, Burcombe, Devlin, Mistry, and Robson—the Centurions showed:
Exceptional resilience
Tactical flexibility
Strong team spirit under pressure
🏁 Final Word
A win and a narrow, dramatic defeat reflect both the challenge and the growth within this Centurions side.
Despite missing key contributors and facing extreme conditions, the team demonstrated:
Depth and adaptability
Outstanding effort levels
Exciting contributions from debut players
Game Two will undoubtedly sting—particularly after such a strong rally—but performances like this highlight a group developing quickly and capable of competing under any circumstances.
Plenty to build on – and where better to start than Cambridge at home on Sunday!

One-run wins, one-run losses — the Gold squad find a way to answer back
https://www.northantsbaseball.co.uk/news/one-run-wins-one-run-losses-the-gold-squad-find-a--2979669.html

⚾️ GAME DAY ⚾️

Our Gold Team is back in action today!
Check out today’s starting lineup and come support the squad as they take the field 💪🔥

Let’s bring the energy, compete hard, and represent Northants with pride! 🟡🟷

PLAYER OF THE WEEK!

A huge shoutout to Oliver for an excellent performance on the baseball field! ⚾👏

What stood out most this week was his positive attitude and willingness to respond to feedback, really listening and putting coaching into practice. It’s fantastic to see his hard work paying off.

His fielding was outstanding, showing great focus, quick reactions, and confidence throughout the game. Keep up the brilliant effort, Oliver — your dedication and teamwork are shining through every week! 💪🔥

Centurions Split the Day — Maroon Grab First Win as Gold Continue to Battle
https://www.northantsbaseball.co.uk/news/centurions-split-the-day-maroon-grab-first-win-as--2976521.html

🔥 GAME DAY 🔥

Our Maroon squad is set for a big double header today ⚾️💪
Two games. One mission.

Check out today’s lineups in the graphic 👀
Let’s get to work.

Game day ⚾️

Here’s how Northants Gold lines up for today’s double header against the Milton Keynes Bucks.

Two games, plenty of opportunities, and a great day for baseball 🙌

Let’s enjoy it and play our game 💛

Tough Double-Header Days for Northants as Both Teams Fall Short
https://www.northantsbaseball.co.uk/news/tough-double-header-days-for-northants-as-both-tea-2975215.html

FULL TIME: Northants Gold 7 - 17 Birmingham Bats

https://www.northantsbaseball.co.uk/teams/141274/match-centre/0-6456022?utm_campaign=score_update&utm_medium=post&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=FT