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Updated: June 5, 2015
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(Story by Marco Stoovelaar)

Neptunus qualifies for final after small win vs. Sénart
Nederlands
ROTTERDAM (Neth.) - Curaçao Neptunus became the first team to qualify for Sunday's final of the European Cup Tournament in Rotterdam after winning on Friday-evening (June 5) vs. Templiers Sénart. However, Neptunus registered a small 4-1 win against the French team. Leading only 2-1, Neptunus decided the game in the seventh inning by scoring twice after a pitching change.

Neptunus has a history of suffering unexpected losses during European Cup Tournaments when it hosted the events in its own stadium.
In 2010, Neptunus opened with a 4-2 loss vs. Tenerife Marlins (Spain) and later in the tournament was shutout 1-0 by Hoboken Pioneers (Belgium).
In 2012, the Rotterdam-squad began the tournament with a 6-3 loss vs. Rouen Huskies (France).
Both times, these losses resulted in Neptunus not qualifying for the final.

But tonight, Neptunus wasn't surprised again and this time, it secured a spot in the final.

The day began in the morning with the match-up between Heidenheim Heideköpfe (Germany) and KNTU Elizavetgrad (Ukraine), who proved to be very equal. The Ukrainian squad took the lead by scoring three runs in the second inning on grounders by Dmytro Nelipa and Maksym Lisnytskyi and a double steal-situation. Heidenheim got two runs back in the third on singles by James McOwen and Aaron Dunsmore, but Elizavetgrad added a run in the fourth via a single by Oleksandr Mamontov. In the fifth, the Germans scored three runs to take a 5-4 lead thanks to a double by Simon Gühring (who has played in the Dutch big league in the past) and sacrifice flies by Aaron Dunsmore and Luke Sommer. But in the 7th inning, Elizavetgrad came alongside when Illia Velikii led off with a walk and scored on a sac-fly by Kostiantyn Boiko, but also left two runners behind. Heidenheim then decided the game by scoring twice in the eighth on singles by Stefan Karpf and Philip Schulz to win 7-5 and keep a theoretical chance of reaching the final.

In the afternoon, Draci Brno (Czech Republic) surpised with a 6-2 victory vs. Rimini Pirates (Italy). Whether or not the Italians miscalculated their chances, fact is that the Czechs already led 5-0 after three innings. In the first at bat, Brno opened the score thanks to a single by Michael Kremláček. Two runs were then added in the second inning. 41-year old veteran Pavel Budský led off with a walk and Adam Hajtmar singled, then the two scored on a single by Michal Ondráček. The lead was increased to 5-0 in the third at bat via a double by Budský and single by Hajtmar. Rimini then scored twice in the sixth. The first run was scored on a single by Leonardo Zileri, which then was followed by a throwing error, resulting in the second run. The Czechs added an insurance run in the eighth on an error, left the bases loaded, but held on to the lead. Martin Schneider went the distance and struckout eight batters, while giving up only four hits.
With this result, all kind of theoretical combinations were still possible, including the remaining five teams, including qualification for the final for Templiers Sénart in case of a 3-way tie and the right combinations. But that was before tonight's game of Sénart against Neptunus.

(June 5)




After the game began 45 minutes later due to rain, Neptunus was retired in order in the first at bat by starter Jonathan Mottay. The 20-year old righthander, who was born in Houston (Texas), attended the MLB European Academy in 2012. In July of that year, he was a member of the French Junior Team that won the U21 European Championship. Less than two months later, he made his debut in the French National Team during the European Championships, which then was held in the Netherlands. Early 2014, he received a full scholarship for the 2015 and 2016 college-season at Midland College in Texas.

The Rotterdam-squad then opened the score in the second at bat. Gianison Boekhoudt led off with a walk and Rien Vernooij followed with a double. But while having runners on second and third base with no outs, only one run was scored. Boekhoudt scored on a grounder by Christian Diaz, then Gyenuar Lopez walked, but the inning ended when Benjamin Dille grounded into a double play.

In the third inning, Shaldimar Daantji led off with a single, but then the French defense turned another double play, this time on a grounder by Stijn van der Meer.

Floris Timmer started for Neptunus. He also retired the side in the first inning, then saw lead-off hitter Rolando Merino Betan reach on an error in the second inning. But, with one out, Neptunus also turned a double play.

In the third, Sénart got a runner in scoring position. First hitter Romain Martinez was hit by a pitch, then moved on a sac-bunt by Julien Brelle, but was left behind.

Neptunus also stranded a runner in the fourth inning. With one out, Gianison Boekhoudt singled, but then was left behind.

And as Neptunus was unable to take more distance, it was a matter of time that an opposing run would be recorded. That happened in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Jason Mahood was hit by a pitch, then advanced on a single by Rolando Merino Betan. An error then followed on a force play-grounder by Pierrick Lemestre that loaded the bases. Hereafter, Floris Timmer hit next batter Florian Peyrichou with a pitch (his third hit batter), resulting in the tying run. As Timmer clearly was having some problems, next batter Romain Martinez then went after the first pitch he saw and grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Neptunus regained the lead in the fifth inning, but again scored only once. Gyenuar Lopez led off with a walk and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Benjamin Dille. With two outs, Lopez scored on a double by Stijn van der Meer. To set up a force play, next batter Dwayne Kemp was walked intentionally. However, the bases then got loaded when Raily Legito received a regular walk. But Neptunus then stranded three runners when Gianison Boekhoudt flied out.

Sénart got a chance of doing something back again in the bottom of the fifth. Julien Brelle led off with a walk, but (with one out) was forced out on a grounder by Felix Brown. Jacques Boucheron then singled for the French squad, which led to a pitching change. Berry van Driel took over for Timmer. He saw Brown and Boucheron get into scoring position via a double steal, but they were left behind, as a flyout ended the at bat.

While hitting only two basehits in the game, Sénart kept on threatening, but again left two runners behind in the sixth inning. Rolando Merino Betan led off with a walk, but was forced out. Florian Peyrichou then became the second baserunner when he also walked. But hereafter, Van Driel followed with a strikeout, then a flyout ended the at bat.

Neptunus finally created some breathing space in the top of the seventh inning, scoring two runs. With one out, Stijn van der Meer doubled, then Dwaye Kemp was walked intentionally. Hereafter, Jonathan Mottay, who had done a fine job, was relieved by Pierrick Lemestre. He loaded the bases by hitting Raily Legito with a pitch. Next batter Gianison Boekhoudt lined the ball through the middle for a single that produced two runs and gave Neptunus a 4-1 lead. Moments later, Legito advanced to third base when a pick-off went errant. But he stranded, as Rien Vernooij then struckout and Boekhoudt was forced out.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Kevin Kelly became the new pitcher for Neptunus and retired the side, including two strikeouts. The righthander also retired the side in the eighth inning.

In the top of the ninth inning, Neptunus got two baserunners when Dwayne Kemp and Raily Legito singled with one out. But hereafter, Gianison Boekhoudt grounded into a double play.

In the bottom of the ninth, Loek van Mil closed the game for Neptunus and struckout the side to seal the win and earn a save.



Templiers Sénart - Curaçao Neptunus 1-4 (Game 12)
RHE
Curaçao Neptunus010010200-482
Templiers Sénart (France)000100000-121
pitchers Neptunusinn.SOBBHRER
Floris Timmer4.21121-
Berry van Driel1.112---
Kevin Kelly, W (1-0)23----
Loek van Mil, SV (1)13----
pitchers Sénartinn.SOBBHRER
Jonathan Mottay, L (0-1)6.1-6544
Pierrick Lemestre2.2113--
Box Score
Play-by-Play
Scores
Schedule
Umpires: HP-David Kulhánek (Czech Republic), 1B-Mojmír Jankovič (Slovakia), 3B-Arnoldas Ramanauskas (Lithuania).
Official Scorers & Play-by-Play-Stefan Slinger (Netherlands), Huub Nelissen (Netherlands).
Technical Commissioner-Beppe Guillizoni (Italy).
Public Address Announcer-Hélène van Eijk.
Time-2:46 hr.


Heidenheim Heideköpfe - KNTU Elizavetgrad 7-5 (Game 10)
RHE
KNTU Elizavetgrad (Ukraine)030100100-5100
Heidenheim Heideköpfe (Germany)00203002X-7113
pitchers Elizavetgradinn.SOBBHRER
Dmytro Kiliyevych4 (*)33644
Mykola Liakhovetsky, L (0-1)3 (**)21333
Denis Brechko1--2--
(*) - Kiliyevych pitched to two batters in the 5th inning
(**) - Liakhovetsky pitched to two batters in the 8th inning
pitchers Heidenheiminn.SOBBHRER
Aaron Dunsmore, W (1-0)853854
Patrick Seyfried, SV (1)1--2--
Box Score
Play-by-Play
Scores
Schedule
Umpires: HP-Fabrizio Fabrizi (Italy), 1B-Arnoldas Ramanauskas (Lithuania), 3B-Fabien Carrette-Legrand (France).
Official Scorers & Play-by-Play-Huub Nelissen (Netherlands), Dieks Bannink (Netherlands).
Technical Commissioner-Roberto Loperfido (Italy).
Public Address Announcer-Jan van der Sande.
Time-2:16 hr.


Rimini Pirates - Draci Brno 2-6 (Game 11)
RHE
Draci Brno (Czech Republic)122000010-6111
Rimini Pirates (Italy)000002000-241
pitcher Brnoinn.SOBBHRER
Martin Schneider, W (1-0)982421
pitchers Riminiinn.SOBBHRER
Carlos Richetti, L (0-1)773955
Daniele Del Bianco0.2--211
Roberto Corradini1.111---
Box Score
Play-by-Play
Scores
Schedule
Umpires: HP-Christian Posny (Germany), 1B-Stenar van Groningen Schinkel (Netherlands), 3B-Henri van Heijningen (Netherlands).
Official Scorers & Play-by-Play-Dieks Bannink (Netherlands), Stefan Slinger (Netherlands).
Technical Commissioner-Paul Bokern (Netherlands).
Public Address Announcer-Huub Nelissen.
Time-2:52 hr.



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