Today's game had a complete different line score than the day before and that makes baseball (and softball) so beautiful.
A huge victory isn't a guarantee for a victory the next day.
And that was almost proven this afternoon in Dordrecht.
After American lefthander Enoch Deaton had retired the side in the top of the first inning, his teammates rallied for six runs in their half of the first inning.
Amsterdam-starter Kyle Ward walked lead-off hitter Odion Gouverneur, who then stole second base and advanced on a bunt-single by Stephen Henson.
Hereafter, Jules Peters and Julian Goins delivered runscoring singles.
With runners on first and third base, Goins stole second, then Peters scored when a throwing error from the catcher followed.
Next, Brian Raap also hit a runscoring single to make it 4-0.
Steven Wharwood followed with an walk and Tim Roodenburg moved the two runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.
After a strikeout accounted for the second out, Chris Williams hit a 2-run double and advanced to third base on an outfield-error.
He stranded, as Ward closed with a strikeout, but Amsterdam faced an early 6-0 deficit.
After the productive first at bat, The Hawks was unable to take more distance and was held scoreless by the Amsterdam-pitching and defense.
The Hawks had a chance of adding a run in the second inning.
Stephen Henson led off with a single, stole second base, then moved to third base on a grounder.
Next, Henson was eliminated trying to score on a grounder to third base by Julian Goins, who himself moved to second base on the play.
However, Goins was then eliminated himself after overrunning second base to complete a double play.
After leaving a runner in the second inning and being retired in order in the third, Amsterdam scored twice in the fourth.
Michael Duursma led off with a walk, then Kenny Berkenbosch homered.
Hereafter, Bas Nooij walked, as did Jesse Aussems with one out, but then Rashid Gerard grounded into a double play.
In the bottom of the fourth, Chris Williams singled for The Hawks with one out, but then Odion Gouverneur was ruled out for batter's interference and a groundout closed the inning.
Amsterdam narrowed the deficit to 6-4 by scoring two runs again in the fifth.
Linoy Croes led off with a single and advanced on a following throwing error, then scored on a double by Jorin van Amstel.
He was today's starting second baseman instead of Nick Urbanus, who had the day off.
Van Amstel advanced on a sac-bunt by Roelie Henrique, then scored on a sac-fly by Michael Duursma.
In the sixth inning, Amsterdam came within one run, but also left two runners behind.
Deaton gave up a lead-off single to Koen Nooij, then an error followed on a sacrifice bunt by Jesse Aussems.
The bases got loaded when another error followed on a force play-grounder by Rashid Gerard.
And so, with the bases loaded and no outs, Amsterdam got an opportunity to take over the lead.
However, the team scored only once.
A strikeout followed, then the run was scored on a sac-fly by Jorin van Amstel and a groundout ended the inning.
Some tenseful innings followed for both teams.
For Amsterdam, hoping to come alongside, for The Hawks, hoping to hold onto the lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, The Hawks left a runner on second base.
Amsterdam then got the bases loaded again with no outs in the top of the seventh, but failed to score!
Michael Duursma led off with a single, then Michel Offerman took over the pitching for Enoch Deaton.
He walked Kenny Berkenbosch, saw the runners advance on a passed ball, then loaded the bases by hitting Bas Nooij with a pitch.
Another pitching change followed and this time, José Moreno took over.
The first out was then recorded on an infield-fly by pinch-hitter Nick Urbanus.
Moments later, The Hawks secured its minimal lead when Jesse Aussems grounded into a double play.
In the bottom of the seventh, facing new pitcher Robin Schel, The Hawks got two baserunners when Julian Goins and Brian Raap walked with two outs.
But they failed to add an insurance run when Steven Wharwood flied out.
In the eighth inning, both teams were retired in order.
And so, the ninth inning began with The Hawks still holding onto a 6-5 lead.
In the top of the ninth, Roelie Henrique led off with a walk, then stole second base with one out.
A flyout followed and so, The Hawks was only one out away from winning its first game of the season on home soil.
But moments later, things changed.
Bas Nooij, who had struckout twice earlier in the game, this time connected well and singled up the middle to bring in Henrique with the tying run.
A groundout ended the inning, but it now was a new ballgame.
In the bottom of the ninth, Daan Hendrix took over the Amsterdam-pitching and retired the side, meaning a tie-break followed.
In the top of the tenth inning, Amsterdam put the game out of reach for The Hawks, rallying for six runs.
Only one run was earned, but due to an error, it also was unearned for the team.
With Bas Nooij and Nick Urbanus being the tie-break runners, the bases got loaded when Jesse Aussems reached on a bunt-single.
Hereafter, Rashid Gerard drove the ball into rightfield.
This would have result in a run anyway via a sacrifice fly, but the ball was dropped, resulting in a second run and an 8-6 lead.
The next run was scored on a sac-fly by Linoy Croes, then Jorin van Amstel walked.
Quinn Tramm was brought in as new pitcher, but he walked Roelie Henrique to load the bases.
After a strikeout, he gave up a 3-run double to Kenny Berkenbosch that lifted the lead to 12-6.
In the bottom of the tenth inning, with the two tie-break runners on first and second base, Julian Goins grounded into a double play.
Hereafter, Brian Raap grounded the ball back to pitcher Hendrix, who eliminated him at first base to end the game.
And so, The Hawks surely should have earned this victory, but was left empty-handed again, as Amsterdam Pirates worked hard to come back into the game and win it.
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The Hawks loses home-win in 9th inning vs. Amsterdam Pirates
DORDRECHT (Neth.) -
Mampaey The Hawks was only one out, and maybe even one pitch, away from winning its first home game of the season on Sunday (July 5).
And they were doing it against league-leader L&D Amsterdam Pirates!