Opening Day of Bhutan’s inaugural Thimphu Baseball League kicked off on June 15th, 2014, with the Thimphu Eagles defending their home field against the Druk Minups.
As the Minups first took the field under the grueling afternoon sun to commence the season, the Eagles opened with an explosive offensive, taking an early 1-0 advantage in the 1st inning and extending the lead to 4-0 by the end of the 2nd.
The Minups bats were lifeless until the 3rd inning, when Namcha (3-6, 2R, 2RBI) kicked off the first of a combination of hits that cut the Eagles’ lead to 4-3.
The Minups added three more in the following inning to create a 6-4 lead, but the Eagles’ returned the favor in the 5th on base hits by Tandin Norbu (1-4, RBI) and Kin Thinley (3-4, 2 2B, R, RBI) to tie the game at 6-6.
The Eagles demonstrated their assumed strength in pitching, striking out 11 Minup batters in 7 innings, with outstanding performances from Sonam Dhendup (1.2IP, 2K, 0ER) and Nadik (2IP, 5K, 0ER) that kept the Eagles in contention until the Minups bats finally broke the 6-6 tie in the 6th inning.
The Minups batted around the order in the 6th, hitting safely as a team with the first eleven consecutive batters. Scoring eight runs in the inning, the Minups took the lead and never looked back.
The Eagles offense, led by Tamiki (3-4, 2B, R, 2RBI), Rinchen (2-3, 2B, 3B, 2R, RBI) and Kin Thinley, went silent in the final innings resulting from a few base running errors and a couple outstanding assists by the Minups’ defense.
While all Minups hit safely in at least two at bats, the heart of the order, consisting of Matt DeSantis (5-6, 3 2B, 3R, 4RBI), Nave (4-6, 2B, 2R, 4RBI), and Jerumy Tobgye (5-6, 2B, 2R, 2RBI), went a combined 14 for 18. Inning-eaters Vinay Thapa (3.1IP, K, 3ER) and Dorji Gyeltshen (2.2IP, 2K, 4ER) controlled the Eagles’ persistent offensive threats for 6 innings and, as the thunder roared and the rain began to drench the field, reliever Jerumy ‘Wild Thang’ Tobgye came in to close the game by striking out the last two batters. The Minups ran off the field soaked from head to toe, carrying a 16-7 victory under their belt.
Both the Minups and Eagles are scheduled to play the BCCB Bulls on Saturday, June 21st. We encourage all to come watch a moment of history as we enter week 2 of the inaugural baseball season in Bhutan!