That it could become a close game today was underscored right away in the first inning.
DSS threated to open the score, as it got the bases loaded, but left three runners behind.
Amsterdam then scored three runs, but couldn't take more distance in the next at bats.
In the top of the first inning, Amsterdam-starter Kyle Ward walked Sven Jongejans with one out, then gave up an infield-hit to Mitchell Koot.
A walk for Ryan Miner then loaded the bases.
But hereafter, the three runners stranded as a strikeout and groundout ended the inning.
...The final out is made...
...DSS ends up just short of another surprise victory...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
In the bottom of the first inning, Michael Duursma led off with a double, moved on a grounder by Nick Urbanus, then scored when Kenny Berkenbosch also doubled.
DSS-starter Tim Halderman then gave up a single to Remco Draijer and saw the next run being scored on a sacrifice fly by Bas Nooij.
A single by Rashid Gerard then made it a 3-0 score.
But that was it for Amsterdam, as it was held scoreless in the next five innings by Halderman, who again pitched a fine game.
The righthander allowed only four batters to reach base in these five at bats, but only two of them were able to advance to second base.
On the other hand, Kyle Ward also pitched some solid innings.
From the second through fifth inning, he gave up only two hits and both runners stranded on first base.
In the top of the sixth inning, DSS got into scoring position again.
With one out, Ryan Miner walked, then Tino van Erk singled.
The two moved to second and third base on a pinch-hit grounder by Shane Boeree, but then were left behind.
In the seventh inning, Mark Smit doubled for DSS with two outs off of new pitcher Tom de Blok, but he also stranded.
Amsterdam then scored not only an insurance run, but what would be the decisive run in the bottom of the seventh inning off of new pitcher Max Ploegstra.
With one out, Michael Duursma reached on an error, then the bases got loaded when Nick Urbanus and Kenny Berkenbosch singled.
A grounder towards third base by Remco Draijer then accounted for the run to give Amsterdam a 4-0 lead.
The bases were re-loaded when Bas Nooij walked, but three runners were left behind.
In the top of the eighth inning, DSS started to do something back, scoring two unearned runs.
With one out, Ryan Miner reached on an error and Tino van Erk singled.
Hereafter, Tom de Blok followed with a strikeout, but then got the bases loaded when Tommy van der Sanden singled.
Next, an infield-hit by Levine Gabriëls brought in the first run and kept the bases loaded.
Moments later, DSS added another run when pinch-hitter Lex Leijenaar reached on an error.
That led to a pitching change.
Daan Hendrix took over and he got a grounder from Mark Smit that ended the inning, leaving the bases loaded.
After Amsterdam stranded a runner on third base in its eighth, the suspense was building when DSS again got the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning and got close to tying the score.
Sven Jongejans led off with a single, then Ryan Miner walked with one out.
The bases got loaded via an infield-hit by Tino van Erk, who was 3-for-5 today.
The latter was then forced out on second base on a grounder by Shane Boeree, but that also led to a run and narrowed the deficit to only 4-3.
But with runners on first and third base and two outs, Tommy van der Sanden grounded towards first base, where the ball jumped to second baseman Nick Urbanus.
He then got the ball in time to covering pitcher Daan Hendrix for a close call to end the game, which was a narrow escape for Amsterdam.
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Amsterdam Pirates nips DSS
AMSTERDAM (Neth.) -
A week ago, DSS surprised with a 2-1 victory vs. Curaçao Neptunus, on Sunday (May 24), the Haarlem-squad almost stunted against L&D Amsterdam Pirates.
