Leicester Blue Sox are going to the National Baseball Championships for the second year running following a thrilling 10-9 victory over local rivals, Birmingham Maple Leafs. Both teams gave their all in the AA-Division semi-final with the contest settled by the narrowest of margins.

Although the lead was exchanged a number of times early on, matters would’ve got out of control in the second inning but for a champagne moment from Leicester’s second basemen Jez Goddard. The Bostonian pulled off an astonishing diving catch from Nick Rogers’ line drive bullet and completed a glossy double play, assisting the resulting pick off at second base as Birmingham’s Ed Jones couldn’t tag up in time for the third out.

That play got Leicester out of a bases loaded jam and the Sox capitalised by pulling 7-4 ahead by the bottom of the fourth. Birmingham fought back, pulling it back to 8-8 by the middle of the sixth, but the Sox immediately replied with two further runs to re-take the lead 10-8.

Both teams cancelled each other out in the seventh before the Leafs pulled one back in the eighth to ensure another nail biting finish. Leicester were unable to score in the bottom of that frame, so it was left to relief pitcher Richard Hu to close out the game in the final inning.

Riks Iqbal led off with a base hit, but was tagged out as he headed for second. Cory Millard was struck out in the next, meaning just one more out was required for the win. Graham Lee walked, but Hu took care of business in the next at bat as Ed Jones was dismissed on a routine ground out.

Relief and excitement resounded around Western Park as a place in the AA-Division National Baseball Championship final was sealed. The Sox took the A-Division crown at the same event last year and will be hoping history repeats itself so they can deliver a second consecutive trophy.

Blue Sox Manager Mark Meredith was naturally delighted with the club’s latest success.

“I am unbelievably proud of the lads and looking forward to getting down to Herts next Sunday for the NBC.”

The final against the Richmond Knights takes place at the Herts Baseball Club, Hemel Hempstead on Sunday 5 September. First pitch is 12pm.

For more information visit the Blue Sox official website www.leicesterbluesox.co.uk.