 Dutch Team wins easy vs. Sweden
Nederlands
...Michael Duursma scores in the 2nd inning...
...Catcher Björn Johannessen drops the ball on a throw from leftfield...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
 ROTTERDAM (Neth.) -
The Dutch Team began the Final Round of the European Championship on Thursday-evening with an easy 17-1 win vs. a very weak Sweden.
At the same time, reigning champion Italy played against Germany in Haarlem in a game that was scoreless for five innings.
But Italy went on to win 3-0 to remain unbeaten.
In the afternoon, Spain won 6-5 vs. the Czech Republic in 10 innings, scoring the winning run on a hit batter with the bases loaded.
With these results, the game between the Dutch and Spanish team on Friday-evening in Rotterdam becomes crucial for both squads in order to reach the final, which is scheduled for next Sunday.
On another cold evening, the Dutch Team faced Rikard Leander, who was unable to find the strike-zone.
He walked a batter in the first inning, while another reached on an error and escaped unharmed after two outs.
In the second inning, he gave up only one basehit, but saw five runs being scored as he walked four batters.
He first walked lead-off hitter Quintin de Cuba, then struckout Rudy van Heydooorn, but then the bases got loaded when Dwayne Kemp and Nick Urbanus also walked.
A run was then scored when Leander also walked Michael Duursma, as he threw 12 concesutive balls, before throwing a strike on next batter Hainley Statia, who then hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Kemp.
Next, Curt Smith drove the ball into leftfield for an RBI-double that scored Urbanus.
Duursma also was waved home, but appeared to be thrown out on a throw from leftfield, however, catcher Björn Johannessen dropped the ball, so another run was scored.
Moments later, Smith scored the fifth run in the at bat on the second passed ball by Johannessen.
In the bottom of the second inning, Sweden got one run back off of Diegomar Markwell, but that was it for the Scandinavian squad.
In the third inning, the Dutch showed some nice offense again.
Wesley Connor led off with a double and moved on a wild pitch, while Quintin de Cuba walked.
A single by Rudy van Heydoorn then produced a run.
After a force play-grounder by Dwayne Kemp, Nick Urbanus followed with a 2-run triple and scored himself when Hainley Statia singled with two outs.
The next run was added in the fourth inning.
With one out, Wesley Connor and Quintin de Cuba walked.
Next batter Rudy van Heydoorn then swung at a pitch and catcher Johannessen threw the ball to first base for a pick-off, which started a weird moment.
With his errant throw to first, Johannessen hit runner De Cuba on his ankle with the ball going into rightfield and enabling Connor to score from second base, while De Cuba stayed at first base (as he was unable to run after being hit).
Hereafter, pitcher Leander continued throwing to Van Heydoorn, who fouled off, but that led to a discussion.
The scoreboard showed two outs and Dwayne Kemp at bat, but Van Heydoorn was still in the batter's box.
His swing and miss on the pitch that led to the throwing error by the catcher was his third strike, so Van Heydoorn had to be called out.
For some reason, the 4-man umpiring crew missed that and went into discussion with each other.
Hereafter, Italian Home Plate Umpire Pierfranco Leone continued the discussion with Managers Dennis Cook (Sweden) and Brian Farley (Netherlands).
In the end, Van Heydoorn indeed struckout and Kemp came to bat, but began with an 0-0 count, which was accepted by everyone.
With a 10-0 lead, the Dutch gave Sweden the definitive blow with a 7-run rally in the sixth inning.
In this at bat, Wesley Connor and Quintin de Cuba both hit two singles.
Michael Duursma contributed with a 2-run single and Curt Smith hit (another) RBI-triple.
In the inning, Duursma scored the 350th Dutch run in history against a Swedish team.
Connor collected three basehits, while De Cuba reached base five times.
Urbanus and Connor reached base four times.
Both also scored three runs, as did De Cuba and Kemp.
Sweden collected three basehits off of Diegomar Markwell, who struckout four batters in five innings.
Arshwin Asjes threw the sixth (and final) inning, in which he was supported with a double play.
(September 13)
...With the flags in the background, the national anthems are being played... |
...Managers Brian Farley and Dennis Cook...
...meet with Italian HP Umpire Pierfranco Leone... |
...Street-soccerplayer and rapper Soufiane Touzani...
...throws the ceremonial first pitch... |
...Strikeout or no Strikeout?...
...Managers and Umpires discuss...
...in the 4th inning... |
...Quintin de Cuba steals 2nd base...
...in the 2nd inning...
...2B Adam Sorgi has no play... |
...Winning pitcher Diegomar Markwell... |
...2B Nick Urbanus completes a double play in 6th inning... |
| (© All Photos: Henk Seppen) |
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