Saturday’s win was a great start to the season for Neil Newton’s Gozo Tornadoes. In the first inning starting pitcher for the Devils, Silvan Busuttil struck out 1 but walked 4, yet with three Gozitan runners left on base the Devils managed to finish the inning fairly well, allowing only three runs. Their offence however, was no match for Charles Attard who finished the inning with just 10 pitches.

During the second inning the Gozitans went through their whole line-up for the second time in the game, and scored four more runs, mostly on walks. Although Busuttil forced two infield hits, which were fielded into groundouts by Devils’ rookie, Jan Degiorgio, he was replaced by John Farrugia towards the end of the inning. In the bottom of the inning Attard was once again a dominating force against the home team, striking out 2 and walking 1; who was later picked-off at first base.

Despite two hits, including Attard’s double, the Tornadoes only scored one in the top of the third, which fielding-wise turned out to be the Devils’ best and shortest inning of the season so far. The inning ended when Attard struck out the last three of the Devils’ line-up with just 12 pitches.

Another eventful inning followed for the Tornadoes who scored 6 runs on 3 hits and 5 walks, stranding three on the bases. After which the Gozitans once again shut down the Devils’ offense.

At 14-0 the game was still not over and Gozo faced Giancarlo Tolu during the 5th inning in their last at-bats of the game. Three hits were all they needed to score the run, which would end the game at 15-0 due to the ‘run-difference rule’.

In the end the Devils were no match for a Gozitan team who although are under new management, have three season wins under their belts (2001, 2002, 2003). They (Devils) have shown some improvement on the field yet unfortunately still haven’t learnt how to hit the faster and more experienced pitchers of the league while the Devils pitchers will have to reduce the amount of walks given.

The Devils face the Mustangs next Saturday at 1.30pm at Marsa while the Gozo Tornadoes will be hosting the Mellieha Northenders in Sannat at 2pm on Sunday.