Vaessen Pioniers vs. L&D Amsterdam Pirates
Amsterdam Pirates opened the score in the top of the first inning off of lefthander Chris Pfau.
With one out, Rashid Gerard singled and moved on a passed ball, then the bases got loaded when Danny Rombley and Kenny Berkenbosch both walked.
Gerard scored on a following grounder by Remco Draijer, but Pirates left runners behind on second and third base.
In the bottom of the first inning, Pioniers came alongside off of Kyle Ward.
The lefthander had missed his last start in the regular season due to a minor injury, but returned to the mound during the European Champions Cup-tournament in Italy and San Marino.
Today, he started again for the Amsterdam-squad.
With one out, Mervin Gario walked, then moved to third base on a 2-out single by Quintin De Cuba.
Kevin Dirksen followed with another single to make it 1-1, but Pioniers also stranded two runners.
In the next innings, Pirates got the most chances to do some scoring, but was held scoreless.
In the second at bat, Linoy Croes led off with a walk and Michael Duursma also walked with two outs, but both were left behind.
In the third and fourth (two strikeouts), Pfau retired the side.
The lefthander added two strikeouts in the fifth, but he also walked Duursma, who again stranded on first base.
In the top of the sixth, Kenny Berkenbosch led off with a walk, moved on a sacrifice bunt by Remco Draijer, but was left behind in scoring position.
Ward also held Pioniers scoreless from the second inning on and allowed only two batters to reach base through the fifth.
He retired the side (two strikeouts) in the second at bat.
With one out in the third, Mervin Gario reached on an error and moved on a wild pitch, but Ward then closed with two strikeouts.
Ward retired the side again in the fourth, then began the fifth with two strikeouts.
He then gave up a single to Zerzinho Croes, but he also stranded on second base.
In the bottom of the sixth, Pioniers broke the 1-1 tie.
Brian Raap led off with a walk, then his pinch-runner Brennan Nijhof stole second base with one out.
To create a force play, Kevin Dirksen was walked intentionally, which was followed by a pitching change.
Daan Hendrix took over, but he was greeted with a single by pinch-hitter Austin Weymouth.
A following grounder by Glenn Bakker led to an out, but also gave Pioniers a 2-1 lead.
Herafter, Hendrix closed with a strikeout.
In the top of the seventh inning, Amsterdam Pirates tied the score again.
Max Clarijs led off with a walk and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Jesse Aussems.
Hereafter, Jonatan Isenia was brought in as reliever for Pfau, but the former pro gave up a single to Michael Duursma.
That brought Clarijs to third base and he scored on a following sacrifice fly by Rashid Gerard.
Duursma later moved on an error and Danny Rombley walked, but a flyout ended the at bat.
In the bottom of the seventh, Pioniers re-took the lead.
Mark Smit led off with a single and stole second base with one out.
Tom de Blok then took over the pitching for Amsterdam, but he saw Smit move on a grounder by Mervin Gario.
A single by Brennan Nijhof followed that gave Pioniers a 3-2 lead.
In the final two innings, Amsterdam again got a chance to turn the game its way, but left a total of five runners.
In the eighth, off of new pitcher Maickel Rietel, Linoy Croes singled with two outs, then pinch-hitter Nick Urbanus walked, but they were left behind.
In the top of the ninth, closer Sedley Karel became the new pitcher for Pioniers, but he got the bases loaded with two outs.
With one out, Rashid Gerard doubled.
With two outs, Kenny Berkenbosch reached on an error, then the bases got loaded when Remco Draijer walked.
But hereafter, Karel closed with a strikeout to end the game and earn his league-leading sixth save of the season.
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Pioniers decides game late to record second win against Pirates
HOOFDDORP (Neth.) -
Vaessen Pioniers trailed 1-0 in the first at bat on Saturday (June 11), was holding a 2-1 lead after six innings, then saw L&D Amsterdam Pirates come alongside.