MUSKETS travelled to Cardiff on Sunday to face table-topping Cardiff Merlins in their final away games of the South West and Wales Baseball League Division 3 season.

Taunton faced a difficult task against the league leaders, with the Merlins showing exactly why they sit at the top of the standings as they swept the double-header 10-0 and 20-5.

The Taunton side found themselves locked in a pitching duel at the start of game one, with neither team able to generate much offence in the early innings. The Merlins did manage to get a run on the board, before extending their lead in the third inning when teenager Lloyd Kirby launched a two-run home run.

Kirby continued to dominate on the mound, while José Bobadilla was the only Musket to register a hit. A further home run from Shota Manabe put the result beyond doubt as the Merlins completed a convincing 10-0 victory.

Game two saw a brighter start from the visitors, with the Muskets putting two runs on the board in the top of the first inning. The Merlins responded in emphatic fashion, however, scoring seven runs in the bottom half of the inning.

A further six runs in the second inning put the home side firmly in control. The Muskets briefly rallied in the fourth, extending the contest, but the Merlins quickly halted the comeback with another six-run inning to seal a 20-5 mercy-rule victory and complete the sweep.

The Tricky Cider MVP awards went to Sam White, José Bobadilla and Jake Meads. White made his Muskets debut after impressing for the Pistols this season. It was a tricky outing for the youngster, but he got on base and scored a run.

Bobadilla recorded three hits across the two games, while Meads stepped onto the mound in a difficult situation and helped see out game one.