BOURNEMOUTH Bears AAA side split their pair of high-stakes games against Bristol Badgers.

With the post-season moving ever closer, little separated the pair in the South West Division ahead of the double-header at Ferndown.

Both teams came out of the blocks quickly, with the Badgers scoring in the first inning thanks to an RBI groundout from Doug Scriver.

However, the home side answered straight away as Jose Lopez hit his third home run of the season, also bringing in Ben Hyde, to make the score 2-1.

Bears opened up their lead with five runs across the fourth and fifth innings.

The home run bug was clearly contagious as both Juan Miguel Ortega and Rafa Ugas hit the ball out of the park in the fifth - the first time three Bournemouth players have all homered in the same game all season.

Williams Vega drove in Carlos Velazco, as the Bears claimed an 8-4 victory.

The second game was a much closer affair as both teams racked up six-run innings.

Bristol jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the top of the third. However, the home side did not roll over and responded by going on an eight-run streak themselves to tie the game up.

With Hyde and Ugas on base, Lopez hit a double to score both and take his RBI count to 21 on the season. Roger Cedeno and Cross also drove runs in as the Bears looked to rally and win the game late on.

Unfortunately for Bournemouth, it was Bristol’s turn to hit a home run - Rhodri Theaker hit the ball over the fence in deep left field to add the Badgers’ ninth and tenth runs of the game. The game finished 10-8 to the away side.

The Bears’ Single A team travelled to Weston-Super-Mare to take on the Weston Jets.

In game one, manager Warren Doyle scored twice, before the Bears then added five runs in the third, with GB international Artie Herbert showing off their skills by driving in two runs on a double to left field - earning the play of the day in the process. Olivia Burlinson also drove in a run as Bournemouth piled on the pressure.

However, the Jets came flying back with five runs of their own in the same inning - leaving the game tied at 7-7 and setting up a tense final exchange. Bournemouth’s bats stepped up to the challenge with Pete Datlen, Eddie Donald & Doyle all adding runs. Andy Swann also put the exclamation mark on his best hitting display of the season, driving in two on a single to right centre field.

Some excellent fielding from Doyle in the outfield and a relief pitching appearance from Andy Moore helped see out a 13-10 victory, giving Datlen his fourth pitching win of the season and helping him to player of the day honours in the process.

Game two saw the home side pick up the split as they ran out victorious in a 15-7 win.

Single A play the Bristol Brunels at home this weekend, whilst AAA enjoy a hard-earned weekend off.