Hoofddorp Pioniers struck early with a 4-run rally in the top of the first inning to set the tone in today's game.
The first run was scored quickly in the first at bat.
HCAW-starter Dennis Burgersdijk walked lead-off hitter Mark Smit, then gave up an RBI-double to Victor Draijer, whom himself ended up on third base on the throw to the plate.
Hereafter, Burgersdijk also walked Max Draijer.
Next, a throwing error on a force play-grounder by Joey Eeman led to the next run and runners on first and second base.
The two runners advanced on a grounder by Mervin Gario, then Duco Nuijten contributed with a runscoring single.
Moments later, Eeman scored the fourth run in the opening at bat on a grounder by Nathan Berkel.
Dennis Burgersdijk retired the side in the second inning.
He then gave up a 2-out single to Mervin Gario, who was left behind on first base.
But in the fourth inning, Pioniers added two more runs.
Nathan Berkel and Jorrit Penseel led off with back-to-back doubles which led to the first run.
Penseel moved to third base on a grounder by Daan Kuit.
Burgersdijk then walked Mark Smit and when he was forced out on a grounder by Victor Draijer, Penseel was able to score.
In the fifth inning, Joey Eeman led off with a double for Pioniers and so, it appeared another run was in the making.
But he stranded on second base, as then next three batters were retired.
In the top of the sixth inning, Pioniers raised its lead to 7-0.
Jorrit Penseel led off with a single, moved into scoring position on a grounder by Daan Kuit and scored on a following triple by Mark Smit.
That was followed by a pitching change.
Bobbie Gnade took over, retired the next two batters and Smit stranded on third base.
Pioniers got four more runners in the seventh inning, but only one of them reached second base and no runs were scored.
Lead-off hitter Joey Eeman reached on an error, but was forced out on a grounder by Mervin Gario.
The playing Head Coach of Pioniers then advanced on a single by Duco Nuijten, but a flyout and another force out followed.
Pioniers was retired in order in the eighth by Gnade, as well as in the ninth by new pitcher Chris Stuart.
Chris Pfau didn't encounter much problems and threw all nine innings for Pioniers.
The lefthander got ten baserunners, two of them reaching third base.
Pfau retired the side in the first two innings.
With Pioniers leading 4-0, HCAW got its first two batters on base in the bottom of the third.
Kevin Dirksen led off with a walk and Christopher Ge singled.
The two moved on a sacrifice bunt by Raibiëntly Mercalina, but then were left behind, as Pfau struckout Jeandro Tromp and Linoy Croes, which ended the inning.
It also ended the afternoon for Croes, who was ejected by Home Plate Umpire André Ficken for making remarks.
In the bottom of the fourth, now trailing 6-0, HCAW also got its lead-off hitter on base.
Patrick Bok opened with a single and moved into scoring position when Berend Ruben walked with two outs.
This time, a force play-grounder ended the at bat.
Hereafter, Chris Pfau retired the side in the fifth, sixth and seventh inning, including four strikeouts.
After having retired nine batters in a row, Pfau got two baserunners in the bottom of the eighth.
He struckout lead-off hitter Christopher Ge, but he reached when strike-three ended in a wild pitch.
Pfau then walked pinch-hitter Leandro Anasagasti.
With runners on first and second base and no outs, Jeandro Tromp hit a line drive.
The ball was caught by short stop Max Draijer, who then made an unassisted double play.
Pfau closed with his tenth strikeout in the game.
HCAW got its final scoring opportunity in the bottom of the ninth.
Patrick Bok led off with a single and moved on a grounder by Arthur Bonevacia.
After Rodney Daal had flied out, Bok advanced to third base on a single by Berend Ruben.
The inning and the game then ended when Ruben was forced out on a grounder by pinch-hitter Arthur Lugtmeijer.
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Hoofddorp Pioniers shuts out HCAW in second game
BUSSUM (Neth.) -
Hoofddorp Pioniers recorded a convincing 7-0 shutout-victory against HCAW on Saturday (September 12) in the second game of their 3-game series in the Top-4 Pool.
In the opener on Thursday-evening, HCAW trailed, but recorded a small 3-1 win.
Top-4 Pool.