Curaçao Neptunus vs. L&D Amsterdam Pirates
In the first three innings, starting pitchers Orlando Yntema (Neptunus) and Dennis Burgersdijk (Amsterdam Pirates) didn't encounter much problems.
Neptunus did strand two runners in scoring position.
In the top of the first inning for Amsterdam, Michael Duursma walked with one out, but was forced out, ending the at bat.
Amsterdam was retired in order in the second inning, which began with a nice play by short stop Dwayne Kemp.
In the third, Rashid Gerard led off with a single, but he was later eliminated in an inning-ending double play.
In the Neptunus first, Dwayne Kemp reached on an error with one out, then stole second base, but was left behind.
In the second at bat, Christian Diaz led off with a walk, then stole second base, which led to a brief exchange of words at second base.
Moments later, Diaz also stranded, as two grounders ended the at bat.
In the third inning, Neptunus was retired in order by Dennis Burgersdijk, who in the past series always had been the Game 3 starter for Amsterdam.
But in the fourth inning, tempers flared and tensions rose.
In the top of the fourth inning, Kevin Kelly took over the Neptunus-pitching for Yntema.
The early exit of Yntema has to do with the planning for the upcoming European Champions Cup-tournament, which opens next Tuesday in Rimini (Italy).
With his first pitch, Kelly (who is celebrating his birthday today) hit Michael Duursma on his leg and was immediately ejected by Home Plate Umpire Winfried Berkvens.
Steven van Groningen took over and began with a strikeout, but then gave up a single to Remo Draijer.
An error on a following force play-grounder by Danny Rombley then led to the first run and a sacrifice fly by Linoy Croes made it a 2-0 score in favor of the Amsterdam-squad.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Amsterdam-pitcher Dennis Burgersdijk hit lead-off hitter Raily Legito with a pitch.
As he was not ejected, that led to an argument from Neptunus' Head Coach Evert-Jan 't Hoen, who also was ejected.
Hereafter, a wild pitch followed that enabled Legito to move to second base and shortly thereafter, a bench-clearing erupted.
Initially, a 10-minute cool-off period was installed, but shortly thereafter, the umpires ended the game definitively.
To be continued.
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Second game Neptunus vs. Pirates halted after bench-clearing
ROTTERDAM (Neth.) -
The second game of the 3-game series between league-leader L&D Amsterdam Pirates and reigning champion Curaçao Neptunus on Friday-evening (May 27) was stopped by the umpiring crew in the bottom of the fourth inning after a bench-clearing brawl.
At that time, Amsterdam was leading 2-0.
Kevin Kelly (Neptunus) ejected in top 4th inning by HP Umpire Winfried Berkvens after hitting a batter.