(Story by Marco Stoovelaar)
 Pioniers shuts out DSS to reach Play-Offs
Nederlands
 HOOFDDORP (Neth.) -
Vaessen Pioniers shutout DSS 3-0 on Saturday (July 30) to officially become the third team that reached the Play-Offs.
Last Thursday-evening, Pioniers shutout DSS, 11-0, which now has lost its last fourteen games in a row.
With the victory, Pioniers remains in second place in the second half of the season and became unreachable for both HCAW and De Glaskoning Twins.
With that, the team from Hoofddorp has now reached the Play-Offs.
According to league-rules, when two teams end in a tie, the head-to-head results between the two teams concerned decides the ranking.
With that, Pioniers already qualified for the top-4 last Thursday.
However, as mentioned in the recap of Thursday's game, the teams that not make the top-4 will play in the Play-Downs, which can end in relegation for one of the teams.
In another ruling, it is stated that a tie between two (or more) teams for a relegation-spot will be decided by a Play-Off game.
It didn't come that far for Pioniers, as today's victory officially resulted in clinching a spot in the Play-Offs.
In the remainder of the season, with four games left, Pioniers has chance to end up in first place in the second half.
But it can also end up in third place.
Pioniers scored twice in the fourth inning, then added a run in the sixth on a basesloaded walk.
DSS was limited to only two basehits by three pitchers.
In today's game, former professional Christopher Garia made his debut in the team of Pioniers.
Garia was released late June by the Texas Rangers, then was added to the roster of the Netherlands National Team for the Baseball Week Haarlem, which ended last Sunday.
But now, Garia is also added to the roster of Pioniers for the remainder of the season.
Today, he entered the game as pinch-hitter in the sixth inning and was 0-for-2.
(complete recap will be added later)
(July 30)
Standings 2nd half
Standings Overall
Schedule & Starting Pitchers
Team Rosters
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Pioniers qualifies for the Play-Offs.