Ericson Leonora’s Two-Run Single Sends Parma Into BCL Europe Final

1949 Parma Baseball Club beat Tenerife Marlins 5-4 in Brno on Saturday, September 26, advancing to the first Baseball Champions League Europe championship game after Ericson Leonora delivered the decisive two-run single in the seventh inning.

Parma survived a remarkable three-home-run performance from Tenerife shortstop Edison Valerio to reach Sunday’s final. The Italian champion will face the winner of Saturday night’s semifinal between host Draci Brno and Curaçao Neptunus Rotterdam.

Leonora turns a tie game in Parma’s favor

The semifinal was tied 3-3 when Parma built its decisive rally in the bottom of the seventh. Anthony Concepcion walked, Robel Garcia doubled and Leonora brought both runners home with a single, giving Parma a 5-3 lead.

Valerio answered in the eighth with his third solo homer of the afternoon, cutting Tenerife’s deficit to one run. Claudio Scotti then retired the final three batters in order in the ninth to close out Parma’s place in the championship game.

Leonora’s hit completed a comeback after Tenerife had led 3-2 through three innings. Valerio opened the scoring with a solo home run in the first, but Concepcion immediately put Parma ahead with a two-run shot in the bottom half. Tenerife tied the game in the second before Valerio’s second homer restored the Marlins’ lead in the third.

Figueredo steadies Parma after early pressure

Noel Gonzalez tied the game 3-3 with a solo home run in the sixth, setting up Leonora’s decisive at-bat one inning later. Concepcion finished 2-for-2 with two walks and two RBIs.

Raymond Figueredo earned the win after replacing starter Frank Madan in the fourth inning. Figueredo allowed two hits and one run over five innings, holding Tenerife in check long enough for Parma to take control. Madan had allowed three runs on six hits in three innings.

Tenerife starter Elian Leyva gave up two runs on three hits and four walks across five innings. Pablo Guillen took the loss after surrendering the tying homer and Parma’s two-run rally.

First BCL Europe title within reach

Parma entered the Final Four as the only unbeaten club from the May group stage and now stands one win from becoming the inaugural BCL Europe champion. Sunday’s title game is scheduled for 18:00 local time at YD Baseball Arena in Brno.

Tenerife will play the loser of Draci Brno versus Neptunus in the third-place game at 11:00 on Sunday.