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Updated: September 22, 2017
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(Story by Marco Stoovelaar)

Neptunus finishes in first place after nipping Amsterdam Pirates
Nederlands

AMSTERDAM (Neth.) - Curaçao Neptunus nipped L&D Amsterdam Pirates 6-5 on Thursday-evening (September 21) in the opener of the 3-game series to finish in first place in the Championship Pool. With the win, Neptunus extended its winning streak to eight games, while Amsterdam lost its first game after having won the previous five.

Neptunus took an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning off of Nick Veltkamp. The lefthander made his first start of the season for Amsterdam, but was moved into the starting rotation for this series due to the make-up games earlier in the week. Neptunus started with veteran righthander Elton Koeiman, who also was a fill-in starter due to the make-up games. With the win, Neptunus finished in first place to earn home advantage in four of the seven games of the Holland Series.

Neptunus led 6-1 halfway the fifth inning, but Amsterdam then scored once and rallied for three more runs in the seventh off of relievers Misja Harcksen and Berry van Driel. In the end, Neptunus won only 6-5.

Amsterdam outhit Neptunus 13-7, including three hits by Nick Urbanus.

As the ranking has now been decided in the Championship Pool, it is expected that none of the regular starters will take the mound coming weekend in the two remaining games in this Pool. As these games are just for-the-record, Head Coaches Charles Urbanus (Amsterdam) and Ronald Jaarsma (Neptunus) might opt not to use Rob Cordemans (Amsterdam) and Diegomar Markwell (Neptunus) in the upcoming games. It is expected that Cordemans and Markwell will be the starters in the opener of the best-of-seven Holland Series next Thursday (September 28) in Rotterdam, while Kevin Heijstek (Amsterdam) and Orlando Yntema (Neptunus) probably will be the starters in Game 2 two days later (Saturday, September 30) in Amsterdam. With this, the expected starters for the second Holland Series-game might be eligible to pitch coming weekend, as their next start will be a week later. It is also possible that Cordemans and Markwell will be used on Saturday to keep their pitching-rhythm, but then will throw on a pitch-count.

(September 21)

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Neptunus decided the game with an early 4-run rally in the top of the first inning off of 'fill-in starter' Nick Veltkamp. Three of the runs were scored with two outs on four basehits. Veltkamp walked lead-off hitter Stijn van der Meer, but then struckout Gregory Muller. The American mostly is listed fifth in the batting order, but moved up to the number two slot last Tuesday. He took over the spot of Benjamin Dille, who is been sidelined since Tuesday with an injury. With one out, Van der Meer stole second base, then Gianison Boekhoudt also walked. Moments later, the two runners executed a double-steal, which was followed by a throwing error, enabling Van der Meer to score the first run. Boekhoudt advanced to third base when Dwayne Kemp flied out, then scored on a 2-out double by Daniel Fernandes. The latter then moved on an infield-hit by Shaldimar Daantji, then Ruar Verkerk and Brian Raap added runscoring singles to lift the lead to 4-0. With runners on first and second base, Veltkamp closed the long at bat by striking out Jochem Koedijk, the ninth batter to come to bat for Neptunus.

After being retired in the bottom of the first inning by veteran Elton Koeiman, Amsterdam got one run back in the next at bat. With one out, Kenny Berkenbosch walked, moved on a single by Danny Rombley and scored on a 2-out infield-hit by Jesse Aussems.

Neptunus made it a 4-run difference again in the top of the third inning. Daniel Fernandes led off with a walk, stole second base, moved to third base on a grounder and scored on a grounder from Ruar Verkerk.

Neptunus increased the lead to 6-1 in the fifth inning off of new pitcher Daan Hendrix. He gave up a lead-off infield-double to Gianison Boekhoudt. The powerhitter hit a high pop-up towards third base where third baseman Jesse Aussems lost the ball in the lights. A diving attempt to catch the ball at the last moment failed and Boekhoudt ended up on second base with a double. Shortly hereafter, he scored on a single by Dwayne Kemp, who himself was eliminated at second base trying to stretch it into a double.

For Neptunus, this was the last run the team scored tonight, while Amsterdam got back into the game and made it an one-run difference. In the final four innings, Neptunus was retired in order by Daan Hendrix (6th inning), Kyle Ward (7th) and Dennis Burgersdijk (8th, 9th).

Amsterdam scored its second run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Max Clarijs led off with a double and moved to third base when Norbert Jongerius reached on an error with one out. He then scored on an infield-hit by Nick Urbanus. With runners on first and second base, Gilmer Lampe also singled. Jongerius was waved home, but then was eliminated at the plate.

In the sixth, Amsterdam got two baserunners. With one out, Linoy Croes and Jesse Aussems (bunt) both singled. Next hitter Max Clarijs hit a line drive towards third baseman Ruar Verkerk, which resulted in an inning-ending double play.

With a 6-2 lead, Neptunus went to the bullpen, but that almost cost them the game. Misja Harcksen took over from Elton Koeiman and began with a strikeout, but then saw Norbert Jongerius reach on an error. The bases got loaded when Nick Urbanus and Gilmer Lampe both singled. Kenny Berkenbosch followed with a 2-run single that made it a 6-4 score. Berry van Driel was brought in to take over from Harcksen. Van Driel saw Lampe steal third base and then score on a grounder by Danny Rombley, which narrowed the deficit to only 6-5. Van Driel then closed with a strikeout.

With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Amsterdam got two more baserunners. Max Clarijs and Remco Draijer then singled off of Van Driel. With two outs, then inning ended when first baseman Gregory Muller caught a line drive from Nick Urbanus. In the ninth, Loek van Mil retired the side to close the game and earn a save.



L&D Amsterdam Pirates - Curaçao Neptunus 5-6
RHE
Curaçao Neptunus401010000-672
L&D Amsterdam Pirates010010300-5131
pitchers Neptunusinn.SOBBHRER
Elton Koeiman, W (2-0)641822

Misja Harcksen0.11-331

Berry van Driel, H (1)1.21-2--

Loek van Mil, SV (1)11----

pitchers Piratesinn.SOBBHRER
Nick Veltkamp, L (0-1)433555

Daan Hendrix23-211

Kyle Ward11----

Dennis Burgersdijk21----
Box Score
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Standings Championship Pool
Final Standings Season
Scores
Schedule
Team Rosters
Umpires:
HP-Edwin Louisa, 1B-Roy van de Wateringen, 3B-Peter de Haan.
Official Scorer-Karin Pieneman.
Play-by-Play Scorer-Dennis Duin.
Public Address Announcer-Richard de Wolff.
Scoreboard Operator-Jolande Bierman.
Starting Time-7:30 PM.
Time Played-2:31 hrs.
Site-Pirates Honkbalstadion,. Sportpark 'Ookmeer', Amsterdam.

Game Notes:
Weather conditions at game time: Sunny, 15,2° C (59,4° F); wind direction southeast;
wind speed 11 kmh (6,8 mph); wind force 2 Bft; humidity 75%.



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