A tough second-half matchday in Neunkirchen

Last weekend, the Düsseldorf Senators traveled to face the Neunkirchen Nightmares in the second half of the season. Unfortunately, the game played out much like the previous week’s matchup against Cologne in many respects.

In the first game, the Senators struggled to get into the game. Neunkirchen was strong offensively and also had very good pitching on the mound. On the Düsseldorf side, however, they were unable to consistently hit the strike zone. Added to this were early errors in the field, which the hosts immediately capitalized on to quickly establish a clear lead. As a result, the game ended decisively after just five innings with a score of 0-15.

Good connections, but no run

The second game, however, showed a different side of the Senators. The contest was much closer, and Düsseldorf, in particular, showed improvement on offense. For long stretches, they made solid contact with the ball, and the quality of their at-bats was significantly better overall than in recent weeks. It was especially notable that there were very few strikeouts against the Senators.

However, luck was not on their side that day. Many hard-hit balls landed directly in the gloves of the Neunkirchen defense or were hit right into the fielders’ hands. As a result, despite making solid contact, the offense failed to score a single run.

On the Nightmares’ side, one player in particular made the difference: With two cleverly hit two-run home runs, he took full advantage of the wind conditions and, with the wind’s help, sent both balls deep into the outfield. Together, these two home runs accounted for four of the hosts’ six runs.

In the end, the Senators were defeated 0-6 in the second game.

Despite the losses, there were also positive moments. Hokka celebrated his first true base hit for the Senators and also made his first pitching start in the second game.

There is one key takeaway for the Senators from the past few weeks: the roster situation remains challenging. Injuries and absences have plagued the team all season, consistently preventing them from fielding a full lineup. At the same time, the game in Neunkirchen clearly demonstrated how important high training attendance and a well-coordinated team dynamic are. That is exactly what the Senators plan to continue working on in the coming weeks.

Second-half opener against Cologne – A match day to forget

To kick off the second half of the season, the Düsseldorf Senators hosted the Cologne Cardinals’ second team for a home game that was livestreamed. From a competitive standpoint, however, it was a day when very little went right for the Senators.

The Düsseldorf team never really got into the game, even in the first match. The team couldn’t find its rhythm either on offense or on the mound, while the visitors from Cologne consistently capitalized on their opportunities. As a result, the game ended after just five innings due to the ten-run rule with a score of 0–11.

A new pitcher joins the team

The second game followed a similar pattern. The Senators trailed throughout the entire game and never really managed to get a grip on the game. Although the game went the full seven innings, there was a general lack of consistency—both on the mound and at the plate.

Of course, it was evident that the Senators had to play this weekend with a severely depleted roster and were missing many of their regulars. The situation was particularly difficult in the pitching department. Nevertheless, that should not be an excuse for the two losses. It was simply a day when very little went right, and one that needs to be put behind us as quickly as possible.

There was one piece of positive news, however: Hokka, a young Japanese player, made his debut for the Düsseldorf Senators. The team is very excited to see him in a Senators uniform more often in the future and to take the next steps together. Welcome to Düsseldorf!

Now the focus is already on next week, when the second half of the season continues against Neunkirchen. That’s where the cards will be reshuffled.

Two close games against the promotion favorites – Senators put on a strong performance in Solingen

Last weekend, the Düsseldorf Senators visited the Solingen Alligators. Even before the first pitch, it was clear that this would be no easy task. The Alligators are among the strongest teams in the league and are contenders for promotion to the 1st Bundesliga. The home team fielded a correspondingly strong lineup in front of their home crowd.

But there was plenty to enjoy off the field as well. The Solingen team had put together a thoroughly successful game day. With a stadium announcer, baseball bingo, special catering, and many small activities, spectators and guests were treated to a true baseball experience. The Senators would like to thank them for their hospitality and the great atmosphere. Games against Solingen have been marked for years by passion, close scores, and plenty of emotion—and this time was no different.

The first game began with strong pitching on both sides. The offenses had to work hard for every single baserunner. For the Senators, Anton De Angelis took the mound and delivered a strong performance throughout the entire game. With very good, varied pitches and plenty of control, he repeatedly kept the dangerous Solingen offense in check.

The Alligators’ first runs resulted from a few defensive miscues that were immediately punished. Particularly encouraging, however, was the Senators’ response, as they were able to immediately make up for the runs they had given up. This set the stage for a tight and fast-paced baseball game in which every pitch and every at-bat could be decisive.

In the fifth inning, Solingen finally managed to score two crucial runs thanks to a passed ball and another unfortunate error. The Senators fought until the last out, got on base once more, and tried everything to turn the game around. In the end, however, Solingen narrowly prevailed 4-2.

Despite the loss, Düsseldorf took away a lot of positives from the first game. The team showed defensive stability, fought hard, and for long stretches played absolutely on par with one of the strongest teams in the league.

The second game also lived up to the expectations for this matchup.

Tom Kremer took the mound as the starting pitcher and once again demonstrated the strong progress he’s made in recent weeks. Together with catcher Anton De Angelis, he formed a well-coordinated battery and kept the Senators in the game for a long time. Defensively, Düsseldorf was once again sharp. The team responded well to bunts, executed strong double plays, and displayed focused defense across the entire field.

The game turned into a true slugfest. At times the Senators were ahead, then the Alligators took the lead. Neither team could pull away decisively. Every run had to be earned, and both teams delivered a high-caliber baseball game.

The game was overshadowed by two unfortunate collisions. A Solingen player was hit in the kneecap by a pitch. Later, there was a collision between Robin and a Solingen baserunner. Both situations were clearly unintentional. The Düsseldorf Senators wish everyone involved a speedy and full recovery.

After four innings, Tom handed the ball over to Nori Ogata, who also did everything he could to stop the Alligators’ offense.

With the score tied at 4-4, the game finally went into the decisive seventh inning.

The Senators initially got a runner to second base themselves and had a chance to take the lead. But a strikeout and a hard-hit ball to center field that was caught cleanly prevented them from taking the lead.

Things then got dramatic in the bottom of the inning. Solingen got a runner into a promising position early on. The Senators fought back with a strikeout and a groundout and were suddenly just one out away from extra innings. But a wild pitch ultimately allowed the decisive run, sealing a 5-4 victory for the hosts.

Of course, disappointment prevailed immediately after the game. Two losses hurt, especially when both games are so close. Nevertheless, the Senators were able to leave the field with their heads held high.

Across both games, the team perhaps delivered its most complete performance of the season so far. The defense played with focus, the pitching was strong, and the team performed as a cohesive unit. Against one of the league’s top favorites, Düsseldorf not only held its own but took both games down to the wire.

The Senators are also particularly pleased with their new addition, José, who made his debut with the team this weekend. Even though he’ll need some time to adjust offensively, he’s already shown how valuable he can be to the team. The entire team is looking forward to many more games together.

In the end, the team suffered two losses. However, their performance on the ice felt like a significant step forward. The Senators intend to build on this progress in the coming weeks.

First Time Playing on Artificial Turf

The Düsseldorf Senators were guests of the Paderborn Untouchables last weekend—and even though they lost both games by a narrow margin, the day was a big step forward for the Senators.

Even the trip there was special. With perfect baseball weather, the team headed to Paderborn, where they faced not only a strong youth team but also an impressive facility. For many Senators players, it was their first time playing on the Untouchables’ new turf field. The modern field, the entire baseball complex, and the atmosphere on site left a strong impression on everyone. It was immediately apparent how much is being invested in baseball in Paderborn—for that, the hosts deserve nothing but great respect.

There was plenty going on around the two games as well: While the second-division games were taking place on the main field, a large youth tournament featuring teams from various regions and even international guests was held on the side fields. This created a special baseball atmosphere throughout the day, which further enhanced the game day.

On the field, the Senators played what were likely their best games of the season so far. The level of play was high; both games were fast-paced and featured solid baseball from both sides. Particularly encouraging was the significant improvement in Düsseldorf’s offense. After the past few weeks, it was clear that the team was approaching the plate more aggressively and making much better contact with the ball.

In the first game, Anton De Angelis took the mound again and delivered a strong performance. He kept the Paderborn offense in check throughout the entire game with numerous strikeouts and solid pitching. A tight pitcher’s duel developed early on, remaining completely open until the fifth inning with the score tied at 2-2.

On offense, the Senators delivered an early highlight: Nori Ogata hit an impressive home run well over the fence, putting Düsseldorf in the game early on. But in the fifth inning, a series of unfortunate plays allowed Paderborn to score several runs. Despite promising moments and strong offensive plays, the Senators ultimately fell short, losing 2-5.

It was particularly encouraging to see that several players from the second team stepped up to fill the many gaps in the roster and performed exceptionally well. Offensively, in particular, the team showed strong overall development and significantly more confidence at the plate.

Narrow Loss

The second game also remained exciting right up to the end. Tom Kremer started on the mound for the Senators and delivered a very solid performance over three innings. Düsseldorf’s defense once again looked significantly more stable than it had at the start of the season, with plenty of great plays and strong fielding.

Offensively, Düsseldorf remained dangerous and even managed to build a 5-4 lead at one point. After Tom, Robin took over on the mound, before Nori Ogata took over the game later on. The game remained completely open until the final innings and turned into a real nail-biter.

In the end, it was the little things that made the difference. Paderborn scored the decisive run in the sixth inning, while the Senators, despite having runners on base in their final at-bat, were unable to bring home the tying run. Thus, the second game was also lost by a narrow margin, 5-6.

Despite the two losses, the positive feeling prevailed after the day’s games. The team showed clear improvement, playing with more courage, aggression, and overall much greater stability than in the weeks prior. The improvement was particularly evident on offense.

The day was rounded out by a very successful livestream from the Paderborn team, as well as an overall very pleasant and sportsmanlike atmosphere both on and off the field. The cooperation with the umpires was also viewed very positively by all sides.

All in all, it was a game day that, while it didn’t result in any wins, clearly showed the Senators that they’re on the right track.

First Home Win of the Season against the Bonn Capitals 2

On their next home game day in the 2nd Bundesliga, the Düsseldorf Senators hosted the Bonn Capitals’ second team. The visitors arrived with a very young, athletic squad that displayed plenty of speed, solid defensive positioning, and strong pitching throughout both games. So another challenging game day awaited the Senators—but this time with a well-deserved victory.

Game 1: Narrow Loss Despite Strong Performance

The first game was a close contest from the start. On the mound for the Senators was newcomer Tom Kremer, who delivered a strong performance right off the bat in his first official pitching appearance for Düsseldorf. With several strikeouts, a calm demeanor, and a commanding presence, he kept the Bonn offense in check for a long time and gave his team the chance to keep the game close until the end.

The pitching was strong on the Bonn side as well. As in previous weeks, the Senators initially struggled to be aggressive and consistent enough at the plate early on. As a result, the game remained low-scoring for a long time. It wasn’t until the fourth inning that the first runs were scored.

In the sixth inning, the Senators had a golden opportunity to turn the game around. With the score at 2-3, Düsseldorf came close to tying the game, but Bonn managed to escape the jam. In the seventh inning, the Capitals added to their lead, while the Senators were unable to mount a decisive comeback in their final at-bat.

In the end, it was a narrow 3-5 loss in a game that could easily have gone Düsseldorf’s way.

Senators claim their first Win of the Season

In the second game, the Senators made it clear from the start that they were determined to respond. Anton De Angelis took the mound and once again delivered a very solid performance. He provided a standout moment as early as the second inning: he finished the entire inning with just three pitches—three pitches, three outs. It doesn’t get much more efficient than that.

However, it was Tom Kremer who made the first big statement. After pitching strongly in the first game, he immediately provided the highlight of the day on offense in the second game: In the first inning, he hit a massive 3-run home run against the wind, giving the Senators an early 3-1 lead.

In the second inning, Düsseldorf added to their lead. Bonn couldn’t quite find their rhythm on the mound; several hit-by-pitches put the Senators on base, and Düsseldorf capitalized on the opportunity consistently. The score was 6-1 for the hosts early on.

But Bonn remained dangerous. In the third inning, the Capitals responded with a two-run home run, narrowing the gap to 6-3. Nevertheless, the Senators held their ground. Defensively, in particular, there was a clear improvement over the previous week. Javier Liere and Nori Ogata made key plays with strong defense, diving catches, and precise throws, helping to stop the Bonn offense time and again.

The Senators held a 7-4 lead going into the seventh inning. But the final inning turned into a nail-biter. Bonn fought back with walks and errors, scoring two runs and loading the bases with two outs. The tension was at its peak.

Then came Bonn’s final at-bat: a hard hit toward second base. The ball was caught in the air—game over.

With the 7-6 victory, the Düsseldorf Senators secured their first win of the season.

Looking back, it was a successful game day for the Senators. After a difficult week against Wuppertal, the team showed a clear improvement, especially on defense. The plays were cleaner, the body language was right, and there were also more promising signs on offense.

Of course, there is still work to be done—especially at the plate, where more consistency and aggressiveness are needed. But this game day showed that the team is taking steps forward.

And in the end, that’s exactly what counts: progress, team spirit, and the first win of the season.

Sunshine in Wuppertal

On the third day of play, the Düsseldorf Senators visited the Wuppertal Stingrays—and the first game, in particular, is one that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

The game actually started off well. Offensively, they got off to a good start, including an early home run by Nori. Later on, Tom also made a strong statement with another long ball. For long stretches, it was an open game in which both teams put runs on the board and gave each other no quarter.

What defined this game, however, was the Senators’ defense—and unfortunately in a negative way. Officially, only a few errors were recorded, but in reality, the error rate was significantly higher. In total, there were well over ten instances where balls weren’t fielded cleanly, wrong decisions were made, or simple plays weren’t executed. These weren’t just classic errors, but also mental lapses and unnecessary actions that repeatedly gave Wuppertal extra opportunities.

As a result, they kept the opponent constantly in the game, even though their own offense produced enough to actually win the match. In the end, that’s exactly what cost them: In a game that could have gone either way, the necessary stability was missing at the decisive moment—and the Senators had to admit defeat by a narrow margin of 11–12.

Decision after 1 hour and 44 minutes.

The second game presented a different picture. The defense was significantly more solid, and the number of major errors was reduced. Andi took the mound and fought his way through the innings, even though the Wuppertal offense repeatedly posed problems for him and kept up constant pressure.

Despite the improved defense, the Senators fell behind early and trailed for the entire game. Offensively, they lacked the consistency needed to mount a decisive comeback. Wuppertal played out the game solidly, and the match ended in the sixth inning with a score of 4–15.

To make matters worse, the Senators could only field nine players on this game day. With no substitutes available, everyone had to go the full distance—an additional strain that became noticeable as the day went on.

The bottom line is a game day that clearly demonstrated, especially in the first game, what needs to be worked on. With such a high error rate, it’s nearly impossible to win games in this league. At the same time, the team hung in there despite the circumstances—and that’s exactly what we need to build on now.

Sometimes you lose…

On the second day of the 2nd Bundesliga season, the Düsseldorf Senators hosted the team from Neunkirchen—and experienced an intense home opener featuring two instructive games.
The first game started out as a closely contested matchup. Both pitchers dominated the action; the game was fast-paced, clean, and of high quality. It wasn’t until the third inning that the decisive moment arrived: Following a defensive error that could have ended the inning, the visitors capitalized on their opportunity. Immediately afterward, a three-run home run gave them a 4-0 lead. The Senators found their rhythm again after that but were unable to close the gap significantly. The final score was 8-1, even though the game was much closer for a long time than the result suggests.

…sometimes the others win

The second game followed a similar pattern. Nori Ogata made his first start of the season on the mound; he gave up a few runs in the first inning but then found his rhythm and kept the visitors’ offense in check. Offensively, the Senators continued to struggle to get on base consistently and build momentum. It wasn’t until the final inning that they managed to score a few runs, making the final score a bit more respectable. Overall, however, they lacked punch for long stretches, so this game also went to Neunkirchen with a score of 3-9.

The quality of the opponent was striking: Neunkirchen played very consistently throughout both games and capitalized on their opportunities.

Despite the two losses, it was an important step for the Senators. The team fielded a nearly full roster and was able to play together in this lineup for the first time—a factor that will be crucial in the coming weeks.

A special highlight was the first full-scale livestream of a home game day. Following sporadic tests in preseason games and, among other places, in France, the concept was now fully implemented for the first time—with multiple cameras, a commentator, and continuous coverage of both games. The response was all the more gratifying: Around 30 viewers watched the action simultaneously at times, with a total of over 350 views recorded. For the club, this is an important step toward greater visibility and a strong foundation for the upcoming matchdays.

On the field, the main priority now is to become more consistent in attack and continue to adapt to the level of the 2. Bundesliga. The foundation is there—now it’s a matter of executing it on the field for the entire duration of the game.

Pitching Duel at Season Opener

To open the season in the 2nd Bundesliga, the Düsseldorf Senators faced the Cologne Cardinals’ second team—and immediately got a sense of the league’s level of play this year.

The first game was a true pitcher’s duel, the kind you don’t see very often. On the Cologne side, Pepe Stockhaus, one of the league’s promising young talents, dominated the game, putting on a strong performance with numerous strikeouts and hardly any baserunners allowed. On the Düsseldorf side, Anton De Angelis held his own, making a more than solid impression in his first year back in the 2nd Bundesliga. He, too, worked his way through the lineup with many strikeouts and kept the Cologne offense in check for a long time.

Thus, a fast-paced, intense game unfolded, ending after just seven innings and about 1 hour and 40 minutes of play. In the late innings, the Senators had another chance to come back, especially in the seventh inning, when with two outs and the bases loaded, the tying run was within reach. But a hard-hit line drive to right field was caught at the last moment—a play that decided the game. In the end, it was a close 0-2 loss, which, while a defeat, was also a very strong and impressive start to the season.

Senators under Pressure

The second game painted a different picture. The Cardinals made it clear early on why they were at the top of the league last year. The Senators fell behind significantly as early as the first inning, after Cologne immediately applied pressure with several hits, aggressive baserunning, and quick steals. This early deficit persisted throughout the entire game.

The Düsseldorf team changed pitchers several times during the game but had to acknowledge that the Cologne offense consistently found ways to score. Nevertheless, the team showed grit: Offensively, things went much better than in the first game. The Senators got on base more often, delivered some solid hits, and also displayed courage and activity on the bases.

Defensively, Nori Ogata in particular made a significant impact with several double plays, repeatedly getting the team out of difficult situations. Additionally, Holger and Micha, two players from the second team, made their debuts in the 2nd Bundesliga and fit into the game without major adjustment difficulties.

In the end, the second game was lost 4-14, but the score doesn’t tell the whole story. It was clear that the team is gradually getting used to the league’s level—even if adjustments are still needed in some areas.

The fact that several regular starters were missing on game day didn’t make the task any easier, but that is by no means an excuse. Instead, the team is taking the lessons learned from this season opener and looking ahead.

With their first home game just around the corner, the Senators will do everything in their power to build on the progress they’ve shown and take the next steps this season.

Until the rain came…

In today’s match, the Düsseldorf Senators’ Verbandsliga team faced the Ratingen Goose-Necks.
The weather conditions during the night had taken their toll on the field, which had to be extensively resurfaced by the team.
Nevertheless, the first game of the day was able to start on time. Head coach Anton started on the mound and his team kept the Ratingen team at bay. It was a neck-and-neck race until the 6th inning. Closer Daichi brought the game home with a save in the last two innings. 12:7 for the Senators.

In the second game, Robin started on the mound and the team did not allow a single run despite 7 hits from Ratingen. Düsseldorf, on the other hand, scored 6 runs until the game had to be abandoned after the 4th inning due to heavy rain and the subsequent unplayability of the field.

We are looking forward to the return match in Ratingen and what the two teams will show there.