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Updated: July 18, 2019
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(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photos by Henk Seppen & Robert Bos)

Netherlands empty-handed against Curaçao in third game of World Port Tournament
Nederlands

ROTTERDAM (Neth.) - The Netherlands Baseball Team was left empty-handed on Day 3 of the 17th World Port Tournament Baseball in Rotterdam, as the team lost 3-2 to Curaçao on Sunday-afternoon (July 14).

Before the start of the game, the tournament was officially opened. But there also was an impressive moment of silence in remembrance of player Shavently Profar, who passed away earlier today at the age of only 23.
23-year old player Shavently Profar unexpectedly passed away.

In the first six innings, the Netherlands was held scoreless and recorded only two basehits off of Curaçao-starter Chris Koeiman, who walked seven batters. In the game, the Dutch offense produced only four basehits off of five pitchers, who walked ten batters.

With only two hits, the team didn't support veteran starter Rob Cordemans, who left in the bottom of the sixth with one runner on base. His successor Kevin Kelly later gave up a 2-run single that opened the score.

The Netherlands came alongside in the eighth inning, but moments later, a costly error resulted in the third Curaçao-run.

Since 2011, the Netherlands played eight other games against a (national) team from Curaçao. During the World Port Tournament in 2013, the two teams faced each other for the third time and Curaçao then also won with a 3-2 score, but then in ten innings. The Orange Team won the next five games, including a big 19-1 score in 6½ inning during the 2015 WPT. After winning 6-1 during the 2016 Baseball Week Haarlem, the Netherlands and Curaçao played a thriller during the 2017 WPT. Back then, the Netherlands won 10-7 in a 13-inning game.

The Netherlands opened the tournament on Friday-evening with a come-from-behind victory against Japan, winning 6-5 in ten innings.

On Saturday, the Netherlands was shutout 5-0 by the mixed team of North America The Orange Team had no chance to do something and was held to only two basehits.

(July 14)




Playing in the team of Curaçao are several familiar players, who already participated in previous World Port Tournaments or the Haarlem Baseball Week. Some players have a professional background, being pitchers Nelmerson Angela (2015-2018, Rookie League, New York Mets), Hershelon Juliana (2012-2014, Rookie League, New York Yankees), Shair Lacrus (2014-2017, Rookie League, Boston Red Sox) and Cerilio Soleana (2015-2016, Rookie League, Cincinnati Reds), catchers Ildion Martina (2015-2016, Rookie League, Atlanta Braves) and Ulrich Snijders (2006-2008, Rookie League, Milwaukee Brewers; 2009-2010, San Marino), infielder Raywendley Van Gurp (2007-2010, Rookie League/Single-A, New York Mets) and outfielders Sander Boeldak (2015-2016, Rookie League, Atlanta Braves), Rayshelon Carolina (2017, Independent League) and Sherman Lacrus (2013-2016, Rookie League/Single-A, Texas Rangers).

Another player on the roster who has played professionally is catcher Quintin De Cuba. He played in the Rookie League (New York Mets) in 2007-2009, before coming to the Netherlands, where he plays in the big league since 2011. De Cuba currently plays for Curaçao Neptunus. De Cuba is one of two players, who are active in the Dutch big league, the other being lefthanded pitcher Jhan Rifaela, who plays for L&D Amsterdam Pirates. Two other players have played briefly in the Dutch league in the past, pitcher Ruderly Manuel (2011, Sparta-Feyenoord) and infielder Johnny Gregorius (2007, ADO). Both also played in Italy, Manuel in 2012, Gregorius in 2009. Gregorius is the brother of Didi Gregorius, the short stop of Major League-team New York Yankees. The two Gregorius-brothers grew up in Amsterdam, where they played in youth-teams of Amsterdam Pirates, where their father Didi Gregorius (Sr.) was one of the pitchers.

Today's game remained scoreless in the first five innings and basehits also were sparse.

Both teams got some baserunners in the first inning, but failed to open the score. Both teams also got their lead-off hitter on base in the opening at bat.

For the Netherlands, Dwayne Kemp led off with a single and moved on a wild pitch from starting pitcher Chris Koeiman. The 19-year old righthander (he turns 20 in August) pitched for the Netherlands U18 Team during the WBSC U18 Baseball World Cup 2017 in Thunder Bay (Canada). Koeiman walked next batter Bryan Engelhardt, but he was eliminated in an unassisted double play when first baseman Alexander Rodrigues caught a line drive from Gilmer Lampe. Hereafter, Gianison Boekhoudt also walked, but was forced out shortly thereafter.

For Curaçao, Rayshelon Carolina led off with a single off of starter Rob Cordemans, who had a solid outing. The veteran righthander was then supported with a double play. Sherman Lacrus then singled, but Cordemans closed with a strikeout.

In the next two innings, both teams got only one runner, both via a walk. For the Netherlands, Sharlon Schoop led off with a walk in the second inning, but stranded on first base. The Orange Team was retired in order in the third (two strikeouts). Curaçao was retired in order in the second at bat. With two outs in the third, Rayshelon Carolina walked, but was caught stealing. Cordemans retired the side again in the fourth.

The Netherlands got its second runner in scoring position in the top of the fourth. Gianison Boekhoudt then led off with a walk. With two outs, he moved to second base on a passed ball, but a pop-fly ended the at bat.

The Orange-squad got another chance to open the score in the fifth when it got the bases loaded with one out, but again was unable to do so and left two runners behind. With one out, Stijn van der Meer reached on an infield-hit, stole second base and became the first runner on third base when he advanced on a wild pitch. Dwayne Kemp then walked and also stole second base. With first base open, a force play was set up by walking powerhitter Bryan Engelhardt intentionally. The force play indeed followed, as a grounder by Gilmer Lampe resulted in an inning-ending double play.

...Gianison Boekhoudt batted in both runs for the Netherlands...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen)
Curaçao also got on third base in its fifth at bat. Johnny Gregorius led off with a single, moved on a sacrifice bunt by Quintin De Cuba and advanced to third base on a grounder by Sander Boeldak. But he also was left behind.

The Netherlands left another runner behind in scoring position in the sixth. With one out, Denzel Richardson walked and moved on a grounder, but stranded on second base.

Moments later, Curaçao opened the score with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Rayshelon Carolina walked and that brought out Manager Evert-Jan 't Hoen. He brought in Kevin Kelly to take over the pitching from Rob Cordemans. But the righthander first walked Raywendley Van Gurp, then gave up a 2-out, 2-run single to Alexander Rodrigues.

With a 2-0 lead, Hershelon Juliana took over the Curaçao-pitching from starter Chris Koeiman in the top of the seventh and retired the side. Despite walking seven batters, Koeiman gave up only two basehits in the six innings he pitched.

Curaçao then got two baserunners again in the bottom of the seventh, but was unable to take some more distance. With one out, Sander Boeldak was hit by a pitch and was awarded second base on a balk. He was then unable to advance on an infield-hit by Risandro Pastor. With two runners on base, Kevin Kelly closed with two strikeouts.

In the top of the eighth, the Netherlands finally was able to do some scoring and came alongside, but failed to take more distance. Bryan Engelhardt led off with a double, then reached third base safely on a fielder's choice-grounder by Gilmer Lampe, who later moved to second base on a passed ball. With runners now on second and third base, Gianison Boekhoudt delivered a single that enabled both to score. It also led to a pitching change, as Shair Lacrus took over. With one out, the Netherlands got the bases loaded when Sharlon Schoop and Rodney Daal walked. Another pitching change followed. This time, Ramses Jamanika took the mound and was supported with an inning-ending double play. Pinch-hitter Jason Halman hit the ball into centerfield, where it was caught by Sherman Lacrus. Boekhoudt took off from third base, but he was eliminated at the plate to complete a double play.

In the bottom of the eighth, Curaçao immediately re-took the lead off of new pitcher Tom Stuifbergen by scoring an unearned run. He gave up a lead-off single to Raywendley Van Gurp, who moved to second base on a grounder. With two outs, Van Gurp stole third base, then scored when a throwing error from catcher Rodney Daal followed. That made it a 3-2 score in favor of Curaçao.

Now trailing again, the Orange Team got one more baserunner in the top of the ninth. With two outs, lefthander Arjun Huerta was inserted to close the game for Curaçao. He walked Bryan Engelhardt, but then closed by striking out Gilmer Lampe.

The following players got into action for the Netherlands:
Dwayne Kemp (3B, 1-for-4), Bryan Engelhardt (1B, 1-for-2), Gilmer Lampe (CF/LF, 0-for-5), Gianision Boekhoudt (DH, 1-for-2), Denzel Richardson (RF, 0-for-3), Sharlon Schoop (2B, 0-for-2), Rodney Daal (C, 0-for-3), Dudley Leonora (LF, 0-for-3), Jason Halman (PH, 0-for-1), Mark Smit (CF, 0-for-0), Stijn van der Meer (SS, 1-for-3), Delano Selassa (PH, 0-for-1) and pitchers Rob Cordemans, Kevin Kelly and Tom Stuifbergen.


...The teams listen to the singing of the National Anthems by Lou Prince...

...The ceremonial first pitches were thrown by Sven de Langen, Alderman of Sports of the Municipality of Rotterdam (left)...
...and Anthony Begina, the Minister Plenipotentiary of Curaçao...

...Left: Ahmed Aboutaleb, Rotterdam Mayor since 2009, and his two predecessors Bram Peper (left, 1982-1999)...
...and Ivo Opstelten (1999-2009) took part in the pre-game ceremony...
...Right: Former Netherlands Team-player Raily Legito is one of the coaches of Curaçao...

...Chris Koeiman and Rob Cordemans were the starting pitchers for Curaçao and the Netherlands...

...Left: Rayshelon Carolina is caught stealing and tagged by 2B Sharlon Schoop in the 3rd inning...
...Right: Leftfielder Dudley Leonora just misses catching a batted ball in the 6th inning...

...Left: Alexander Rodrigues hits a 2-run single for Curaçao in the 6th inning...
...Right: Sander Boeldak dives back during a pick-off to 2nd base, short stop Stijn van der Meer gets the ball in the 7th inning...

...Left: Netherlands Pitching Coach Robin van Doornspeek, Hitting Coach Sidney de Jong...
...and Manager Evert-Jan 't Hoen look on from the dug-out...
...Right: The stadium was sold out for the afternoon-game...
(© All Photos: Henk Seppen)

...Left: Tournament Director Jan Dirk Stouten (right) talks with Sven de Langen, Alderman of Sports...
...of Rotterdam (center) and former longtime WPT-Boardmember Frans van Aalen...
...Right: Umpires Antoine Loock, Simone Menicucci, Peter de Haan and Edwin Louisa look on during the pre-game ceremony...

...During the introductions, the players and coaches were accompanied by school-children from Ami Mi Mes I Mi Logronan...
...Curaçao Head Coach Ramiro Balentina (left) is board member of this foundation...

...The players are introduced before the game...

...Before the game, there was an impressive moment of silence in remembrance of player Shavently Profar...

...Left: Lou Prince sings the National Anthems...
...Right: Anthony Begina, the Minister Plenipotentiary of Curaçao, and Sven de Langen,...
...Rotterdam Aldermans of Sports, throw the ceremonial first pitch...

...Left: Bryan Engelhardt is eliminated in a double play by 1B Alexander Rodrigues in the 1st inning...
...Right: Sharlon Schoop dives back to 1st base during a pick-off in the 2nd inning...

...Left: Third inning, time for an between-inning game...
...Right: Bryan Engelhardt is again eliminated in a double play, this time by short stop Raydel Isabella in the 5th inning...

...Left: Fifth inning, another between-inning game...
...Right: Sander Boeldak dives back to 2nd base in the 7th inning, while Stijn van der Meer gets the ball during a pick-off...

...Centerfielder Sherman Lacrus (left) makes a catch, then get the ball in time to catcher Ulrich Snijders...
...who tags out Gianision Boekhoudt to complete a double play in the 8th inning...

...Ramses Jamanika (left) and Arjun Huerta pitched in relief for Curaçao, which celebrates the at right...
(© All Photos: Robert Bos)



Curaçao - Netherlands 3-2
RHE
Netherlands000000020-241
Curaçao00000201X-360
pitchers Netherlandsinn.SOBBHRER
Rob Cordemans5.122311

Kevin Kelly1.221211

Tom Stuifbergen, L (1-1)11-11-

pitchers Curaçaoinn.SOBBHRER
Chris Koeiman6472--

Hershelon Juliana, BS (1)11-222

Shair Lacrus0.1-2---

Ramses Jamanika, W (1-0)1.1-----

Arjun Huerta, SV (1)0.111---
Box Score
Play-by-Play
Scores
Schedule
Umpires: HP-Edwin Louisa (Neth.), 1B-Antoine Loock (Neth.),
2B-Simone Menicucci (Italy), 3B-Peter de Haan (Neth.).
Official Scorer-Jeanette van Drunen.
Play-by-Play Scorer-Francis Speters.
Technical Commissioners-Johan Brandsma, Henk van der Linde.
Public Address Announcer-Jason Houtkamp.
Scoreboard Operator-Lex Looijen.
Starting Time-1:44 PM.
Time Played-3:10 hrs.
Site-Neptunus Familiestadion, Sportpark Abraham van Stolkweg, Rotterdam.

Game Notes:
World Port Tournament 2019.
Weather conditions at game time: Cloudy, 17,6° C (63,7° F); wind direction north;
wind speed 26 kmh (16,2 mph); wind force 3 Bft; humidity 71%.




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