Cardiff Merlins Vs. Outlaws D4
10th May 2026
Outlaws D4 Return from Cardiff with Doubleheader Sweep
Plymouth Outlaws D4 had an early start for the long road trip to the Welsh capital, but made it count with two wins over Cardiff Merlins II, taking the doubleheader 11-5 and 9-2.
It was a great day of baseball, played in high spirits at excellent facilities, with the Outlaws receiving a warm welcome from Cardiff throughout. The trip also had a personal note for Outlaws Chairman Jack Parsons, who played his first baseball games in his home country as part of a strong all-round team performance.
Game 1: Cardiff Merlins II 5-11 Outlaws D4
Game 1 started with two quick outs, but the Outlaws were not done. A two-out rally in the top
of the 1st brought eight of the nine hitters to the plate, scored three runs, and gave D4 a lead
they would never give back.
The second inning started with Jack Parsons leading off with a ground-rule double to left field. Leo Back reached to bring him home, Matt Ball followed with an RBI single, and Macaulie Macdonald added another RBI single as the Outlaws stretched the lead.
Cardiff responded well, scoring five runs across the first two innings to keep the game tight, but Ball settled in brilliantly from there. He shut Cardiff out across the final three innings to earn the win, while also helping himself at the plate with two hits, a triple, three runs scored and an RBI.
Iman Samarakoon drove in two, Macdonald added two RBIs, Daniel Herrera collected two hits and an RBI, and D4 made the most of their chances in key moments.
Game 2: Cardiff Merlins II 2-9 Outlaws D4
Game 2 began as a pitchers’ duel. Macdonald was locked in for the Outlaws, while Cardiff’s Joseph Williams kept D4 working hard, striking out seven while the Outlaws worked five walks and had to stay patient for their chances.
The breakthrough came in the top of the 4th. Parsons started the inning with a single to left, then stole second and third. Neil Edwards reached, before Iman Samarakoon hit a ground-rule double down the right-field line to score Parsons and move Edwards to third. Herrera then doubled up the middle to bring home Edwards and Samarakoon, before later scoring on a passed ball to complete a four-run inning.
Macdonald took it from there, throwing a complete game with 13 strikeouts, no walks, and just two runs allowed across five innings.
D4 again had contributions throughout the lineup. Parsons added two hits, two runs and four stolen bases, Edwards finished with two hits and three RBIs, Herrera drove in two, Danidu Samarakoon added two RBIs, and Iman Samarakoon chipped in with a double and an RBI.
The sweep moves Outlaws D4 to 6-2 and joint top of the division. It was a long day on the road, but a rewarding one for D4.
A big thank you to Cardiff Merlins II for hosting, for the warm welcome, and for two great games played in excellent spirit.
