 Neptunus fails to take 1st place; Play-Downs set
Nederlands
    BUSSUM / AMSTERDAM / HAARLEM / DORDRECHT (Neth.) -
DOOR Neptunus failed to take definitive possession of first place on Thursday-evening (August 7), as it was unable to hold onto a 1-0 lead against Mr. Cocker HCAW.
The game ended in an 1-1 tie and that meant that second placed L&D Amsterdam Pirates still has a theoretical chance of finishing in first place in the overall stand.
The regular season ends next Sunday and the team that finishes in first place qualifies for participation in next years European Cup Tournament.
To finish in first place, Amsterdam has to win its final two games on Saturday and Sunday vs. Vaessen Pioniers, while Neptunus has to remain empty handed in its last two games against HCAW.
On Thursday, at Bussum, Neptunus took an 1-0 lead in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by Gianison Boekhoudt.
That came after the game was halted for some 20 minutes after four complete inning due to the bright setting sun.
Leading 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth, closer Berry van Driel hit lead-off hitter Kevin Nieveld with a pitch, who then advanced on a sac-bunt and a grounder, then scored the tying run on a single by Jasper Keijzer.
The game ended after nine innings, as the curfew-rule came into place.
For Neptunus, this was its first tie score since April 23, 2009 when the game against Pioniers ended in a 3-3 tie.
At Amsterdam, Pirates won 2-0 vs. Pioniers, thanks to a 2-out, 2-run single by Bas Nooij.
This was an interesting match-up, as starting pitchers Kevin Heijstek (Pirates) and Ricardo Hernandez Sanchez (Pioniers) both were 9-3.
The two both were pitcher-of-record and that meant that Heijstek became the first 10-game winner of the season.
At Haarlem, Corendon Kinheim won 6-3 vs. UVV on eight hits.
Winning pitcher Glenn Wassink gave up only four hits in seven innings.
At Dordrecht, ADO Lakers shutout Mampaey The Hawks 11-0 in seven innings on 13 hits.
ADO Lakers rallied for eight runs in the first at bat.
It was the first game that The Hawks was led by Louie Maduro, who succeeded Head Coach Dino Anasagasti after last Sunday's game.
With the results of tonight, the Play-Downs schedule is now set, as the ranking order cannot change anymore in the remaining two games coming weekend.
UVV will finish in fifth place, to be followed by HCAW, ADO Lakers and The Hawks.
(August 7)
Standings, Scores & Schedules
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