The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SHORTSTOP Albert Cartwright did it again. He scored the only run for Great Britain in another humiliating defeat - this time 16-1 to host Germany in the World Baseball Classic qualifier on Sunday.

Cartwright, still behind in the No.2 spot behind countryman Antoan Richardson, broke up a no-hitter from Enorbel Marquez in the seventh to belt a single on the first pitch through the left side of the German infield in Regensburg. Cartwright eventually scored the lone run for Great Britain after Bradley Hubbert singled and an error from Max Kepler.

While Cartwright finished with a 1-for-3 outing with a run, Richardson was 0-for-3 with a strike out.

Cartwright’s performance was reminiscent of game one on Thursday when he cracked a lead off solo homer in the top of the seventh to put Great Britain on the scoreboard, trailing 3-1, before they ended up getting stopped 11-1 after Canada came up with eight runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Great Britain, however, rebounded from the loss by pulling off a 12-5 decision over the Czech Republic on Saturday. In that game, Richardson led off by going 1-for-3 with a walk, a strike out and a run scored. Cartwright was 3-for-5 with a strike out and two runs scored.

When contacted about today’s game, Richardson said: “It was a tough one today. Bright spot was Albert breaking up a no-hitter in the 7th. Albert was the best player on our team this tournament and carried us as far as we did. It really stung losing that way in such an important game. We played hard, they just were a lot better than us today.”

Both players also commented on Saturday’s victory.

“It was great to get a win,” Richardson said. “We executed a little better today, but we will have to continue improving if we want to come out as champions in this qualifier.”

Added Cartwright: “Everyday I take the field I expect to come out victorious. We came in knowing we have to win or go home.”

Great Britain didn’t win Sunday and, as a result, they didn’t get to go on to play for the championship in the qualifying round that was set for today.

As for their individual performance, Cartwright said “hitting in the top of the line-up, I know my job is to get on base for our big boys to hit us in and I felt like I did a great job getting on base and making it uncomfortable for the pitcher.”

But Richardson felt while he was “glad to get on early and set the tone for us, I need to have some better at bats and eliminate the mental mistakes going forward.”

Sunday’s win eliminated Great Britain from further competition, but the team has qualified for the World Cup Classic next year.

For both Richardson and Cartwright, they were just elated to have been afforded the opportunity to mesh together for Great Britain, considering the fact that the Bahamas didn’t have a team to field for the tournament.

“I think it’s bitter sweet for us,” Richardson said. “It’s fun to be on the field together, but at the same time we both know that so many more of our peers in the Bahamas deserve this opportunity and we wish that they could share in these special moments as well.”

Cartwright added: “It’s great. It’s been fun to know you have a guy who you worked out with and grew up around your whole life wearing the same jersey as you and hitting in front of you in the line-up.”