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(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photos by Henk Seppen & Robert Bos) Amsterdam Pirates prolongs Championship-title by winning Holland Series vs. Neptunus Nederlands ROTTERDAM (Neth.) - L&D Amsterdam Pirates completed its comeback on Sunday (October 17) with a 4-2 victory against Curaçao Neptunus in the all-deciding Game 7 to win the Holland Series and prolong its Championship-title. With that, Amsterdam Pirates became the 99th Dutch baseball-champion. Amsterdam Pirates opened the Holland Series with a 2-0 shutout-win on a rainy Saturday-afternoon, October 2. Pirates then also won the second game on Thursday-evening (October 7), this time with a 3-1 score. But hereafter, Neptunus won the next three games. In Game 3 a week ago on Saturday, Neptunus cut the deficit in half by winning 2-0 on an one-hitter by Kevin Kelly. With the win, Neptunus also snapped an 8-game losing streak in Holland Series-games against Pirates. The next day, Neptunus turned an early 2-0 deficit into an 8-2 victory, thanks to a 7-run rally to equal the best-of-seven and force a sixth game. On Thursday-evening, Neptunus trailed twice, committed four errors and was outhit, but nevertheless won 6-5 to take a 3-2 lead. But that lead was erased on Saturday. After trailing 3-1, Amsterdam Pirates had a strong and powerful comeback, rallied for six runs and went on to win 11-5 in Game 6 to force the seventh game. ...Celebrating the title in the locker-room... (© Photo: Henk Seppen) For Amsterdam Pirates, this is its sixth Championship-title in club-history and its second in a row. It also marks the second consecutive time that Pirates came back from behind to turn the Holland Series its way. In 2019, Neptunus won the first three games, but Pirates then became the first team in history to win the next four and capture the title. This year, it was Pirates that won the first two games, but Neptunus then won the next three. But again, Pirates came from behind to win the title. In last years Holland Series, Pirates also won the first two games, but the Final then was halted abruptly due to new and more stricter measures against the coronavirus (COVID-19). With that, no champion was crowned last year, meaning Pirates remained the defending champion this season. On Sunday, Amsterdam Pirates recorded only four basehits, but that was enough. The team rallied for four runs in the fifth inning to decide the game, then hold onto the lead from there. Like two years ago, Pirates won the deciding seventh game at the site of Neptunus in Rotterdam. In the fifth inning, it was Sharlon Schoop who batted in the first run on the game with a sacrifice fly. Moments later, Kalian Sams hit a no-doubt 3-run homerun to make it a 4-0 score. Neptunus, which collected nine basehits, then narrowed the deficit to 4-2 by scoring in the sixth and eighth inning. By batting in the important first run, Schoop again played an important role for his team. He had four basehits, two runs scored and two RBI's in Saturday's win. Overall, the short stop was the most constant player and led the Pirates-team with 10 basehits and six runs batted in, was second in runs scored (4) and was the second-best hitter (.345). Defensively, Schoop made 18 outs and had 28 assists as a short stop. He also had three consecutive multi-hit games. During the Award-ceremony following the game, Schoop was named the Series Most Valuable Player. (October 17) Related Articles: Amsterdam Pirates forces 7th game in Holland Series with comeback-win vs. Neptunus. (October 16) Neptunus takes lead in Holland Series vs. Amsterdam Pirates after narrow win in Game 5. (October 14) Neptunus equals Holland Series vs. Amsterdam Pirates by winning Game 4. (October 10) Game 3 Holland Series: Neptunus records 1-hit shutout vs. Amsterdam Pirates in pitching-duel. (October 9) Amsterdam Pirates also outscores Neptunus in second game Holland Series. (October 7) Amsterdam Pirates shuts out Neptunus in rainy Holland Series-opener. (October 2)

Most Championship-titles, Clubs Titles Club 19 Neptunus 12 Haarlem Nicols 9 Blauw-Wit, Sparta 6 Amsterdam Pirates, OVVO 5 SC Haarlem, Kinheim, Schoten 4 Ajax Holland Series Facts & Stats This was the 34th Holland Series since a Championship Series was reintroduced in 1987. There was no Series in 1988, but from 1989 on, the championship has been decided annually with a Holland Series. There have been two other seasons that were concluded with a best-of Championship Final. In 1972 and 1973, the big league was divided into two Pools with all teams playing against each other. The two Pool-winners then met in a best-of-five to decide the Championship. Back then, in both years, Sparta won the title via what can be labeled as the first two Holland Series. When these two are included, there now have been 36 Series in history. This was the tenth Holland Series in which Amsterdam Pirates and Neptunus faced each other. The two teams met in the first Series in 1987, which was then a best-of-three and won by Amsterdam (2-1). In 1990, Amsterdam swept Neptunus 3-0 in what was then a best-of-five. Since 2010, when the format became a best-of-seven again for the first time since 1989, the two teams played against each other eight times. After the Series in 2010 and 2014, the teams now faced each other in the sixth consecutive Holland Series (2016-2021). This includes the undecided Championship of last year. Amsterdam Pirates then won the first two games, but the Series was then abruptly halted due to new and stricter measures against the coronavirus. With that, there was no Champion last year, meaning Pirates remained the reigning champion this year. Neptunus won in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, Amsterdam Pirates won in 2019 and this year. Two years ago, Neptunus won the first three games, but Pirates then became the first team in history to win the next four to capture the title. ...Amsterdam Pirates Head Coach Michael... ...Duursma with the Championship Shield... (© Photo: Henk Seppen) For Amsterdam Pirates, this was its first Championship-title with Michael Duursma as Head Coach. He succeeded Brian Finnegan after the 2019 season. As the 2020 Series was not concluded, Duursma became the 16th Head Coach to win the Championship-title while coaching in his first complete Holland Series. The last to do so was Brian Finnegan two years ago. Duursma joins Pirates Head Coaches Ted Arnold (1987), Rikkert Faneyte (2008) and Brian Finnegan (2019), who did the same when they made their Series-debut as Head Coach. This was the 15th time out of 34 Holland Series 'new style' since 1987 where the title was captured in an away-game and the fourth time in a row. Amsterdam Pirates now has won the title twice at the site of Neptunus in Rotterdam, in 2019 and this year. Before that, the last time that a visiting team captured the title on the site of Neptunus was in 1998 when HCAW defeated Neptunus 3-2. For Amsterdam Pirates, it was the fourth time (out of six) that it won the title on the road. They also did it in 1990 when the team swept Neptunus and in 2008 at Kinheim in Haarlem. Pirates won the title at home in 1987 against Neptunus and in 2011 against Hoofddorp Pioniers. The championship of Amsterdam Pirates was the 35th captured by an Amsterdam-based club. With that, Amsterdam remains the most successful baseball-citiy. Haarlem follows closely with 32 titles, while Rotterdam has 28. In 1922, Amsterdam-based Quick won the first title. Since that year, 99 teams have now been crowned Dutch champion. These teams came from only six different cities. Amsterdam, Haarlem and Rotterdam combined won 95 of these championships! Most Championship-titles, Cities Titles City 35 Amsterdam 32 Haarlem 28 Rotterdam 2 Bussum 1 The Hague 1 Hoofddorp The 99 titles have been won by 21 different clubs. Nine of them came from Amsterdam, seven from Haarlem and only two from Rotterdam. For Amsterdam Pirates, this was the sixth time that it won the title via the Holland Series. It was the twelfth time that Pirates played in the Championship Series, the sixth time in a row and the seventh time in the last eight years. With its twelve Series, the Amsterdam-team moved into second place. Neptunus participated in its record-extending 27th Holland Series and tenth in a row, The Rotterdam-club won its first title in 1981 when the seasons were not concluded with the Championship Final. In those years, the winner of the regular season also was crowned as Champion. It then took ten years for the team to win its next title. Since then, Neptunus won 18 titles via the Holland Series. Eight players played in the first Holland Series-game of their career, being Robyn Clara, Kevin Geestman, Gio de Graauw, Sicnarf Loopstok, Juan Carlos Sulbaran, Mick Vos (all Pirates), Kevin Bakker and Roger Bernadina (both Neptunus). Last year, Bakker and Sulbaran also were on the roster of Neptunus and Pirates respectively. They then didn't play as the Series was halted after two games. Vos was on the Holland Series-roster of Neptunus in 2018, but then didn't play. Four umpires also made their Holland Series debut, being Jeffrey Bentsnijder, Jos van Eijsden, Aad Otsen and Richard Wessel. There were five complete games thrown in this years Holland Series. Three of them were thrown by Amsterdam Pirates-pitcher Shairon Martis. The five complete games are the most in one Series since 1992 when ADO and Kinheim also combined on five. The record is eight, set in 1989 by Haarlem Nicols and Neptunus. With his three complete games, Martis became the first pitcher in Series-history to do so.

...The players, coaches and staff of Amsterdam Pirates celebrate the title... ...Back: Connor Prins, Rob Cordemans (Pitching Coach), Gio de Graauw,... ...Kevin Geestman, Kenny Berkenbosch, Robyn Clara, Kalian Sams, Mick Vos,... ...Mike Groen, Rashid Gerard, Denzel Richardson, Kit Gijsbers, Roelie Henrique,... ...Martijn Smink (Physical Therapist), Sicnarf Loopstok, Juan Carlos Sulbaran,... ...Allan Hazel (3B Coach), Gilmer Lampe,... ...Matthijs Bakker (Team Manager) and Michael Duursma (Head Coach)... ...Front: Tom de Blok, Max Clarijs, Nick Veltkamp, Raydley Legito,... ...Emilson Haswell, Sharlon Schoop and Shairon Martis... (© Photo: Robert Bos)

After the first four innings in this deciding game remained scoreless, Amsterdam Pirates struck in the fifth inning. The team then scored all four runs it needed to win the game and the Holland Series to prolong its title. Neptunus scored in the sixhth and eighth at bat, but was unable to turn the game around. ...Kalian Sams (7) is greeted... ...after his 3-run homerun... (© Photo: Henk Seppen) Amsterdam Pirates was outhit 9-4. The last time that the winning team was outhit in what was the Championship-game was in 1998 when HCAW won 3-2 against Neptunus in Game 4, which then also was played in Rotterdam. HCAW was outhit 5-4. In that game, current Pirates Head Coach Michael Duursma played for HCAW, while current Neptunus Head Coach Ronald Jaarsma played for Neptunus. The 5-hit difference in today's game is the highest total. The previous high was four when ADO was outhit 12-8 by Kinheim in Game 4 of the 1992 Holland Series, but won with an 8-4 score. In that game, the Home Plate Umpire was Fred van Groningen Schinkel, who today was the Technical Commissioner. The first four innings of today's game clearly were a pitching-duel between Kevin Kelly and Shairon Martis. A week ago, Kelly made his first start since 2017 and threw a complete game one-hit shutout (2-0) to win Game 3 for Neptunus. Martis threw a complete game shutout (2-0) in the opening game. He then was the losing pitcher in the match-up against Kelly in Game 3, throwing another complete game. Today, Martis not only made his third start, he also threw his third complete game, becoming the first pitcher to do so in a single Holland Series. And he did it after having returned in the morning from Curaçao. Earlier in the week, Martis traveled to the Antillian island to attend the wedding of his brother. After a 9-hour-plus flight, he arrived this morning on Schiphol International Airport, traveled to Rotterdam and went the distance for Pirates. Afterwards, the righthander said that he had slept well aboard the plane and was not bothered by a jet-lag. Amsterdam Pirates got a lot more contact off of Kevin Kelly today that a week ago. The team got into scoring position in the first and second inning, but then was held scoreless by the righthander. With two outs in the first inning, Kelly walked Denzel Richardson, who then advanced on a passed ball, but stranded on second base. In the second inning, Pirates got a chance to open the score, as it got the bases loaded without hitting a basehit. Sicnarf Loopstok led off with a walk, then Kenny Berkenbosch grounded to third baseman Stijn van der Meer. As he probably already was working towards throwing the ball to second base, Van der Meer made a fielding error and so, Pirates had two baserunners. Two young and talented players were the next batters. An attempt to advance the runners via a sacrifice bunt failed, as Mick Vos popped the ball up with his bunt, which was then caught by catcher Dashenko Ricardo. Hereafter, Raydley Legito also hit a pop-fly, which became an infield-fly. Pirates then got the bases loaded when Roelie Henrique walked, but he was forced out on a grounder by Gilmer Lampe. With that, Neptunus escaped from this jam unharmed. In the third inning, the Neptunus-defense turned a double play after Denzel Richardson had walked with one out. And in the fourth, Pirates was retired in order by Kelly. But the reigning champion then struck in the top of the fifth inning. Raydley Legito led off with a walk, but next batter Roelie Henrique struckout when his bunt went foul while having two strikes. Moments later, Legito advanced to third base on a single by Gilmer Lampe, which was Amsterdam's first basehit in the game. Hereafter, it was Sharlon Schoop who again showed his value for the Amsterdam-team in this Series. He drove the ball into centerfield for a sacrifice fly to put his team ahead, as Legito scored. With that, Schoop accounted of what was to be the game-winning RBI. In Saturday's game, Schoop also had a major contribution in the win of Game 6 with four basehits, two runs scored and two runs batted in. On Schoop's flyout, Lampe moved into second base. With first base open, it was decided to walk Denzel Richardson intentionally to set up a force play. However, that decision proved to be costly, as next batter Kalian Sams hit a mammoth 3-run homerun over the scoreboard into deep leftfield! Next batter Sicnarf Loopstok flied out, but Pirates led 4-0 and that was all the team needed today. Shairon Martis had another strong outing on the mound for Pirates. In the first five innings, the righthander gave up five basehits and Neptunus got into scoring position twice, but failed to score and never reached third base. Neptunus got a runner on second base in the first and third inning. In the first, Stijn van der Meer led off with a single, but two flyouts followed. He then advanced on a single by John Polonius, but a grounder ended the at bat. After Neptunus was retired in order in the second, Van der Meer singled again with one out in the third. This time, Roger Bernadina followed with a single. A flyout and force out ended the inning and Van der Meer stranded on second base for the second time. In the bottom of the fourth, powerhitter Gianison Boekhoudt surprised with a bunt-single down the third base-line, but he was forced out moments later. ...Sharlon Schoop receives the MVP Award... ...from KNBSB-Chairman Mark Herbold... (© Photo: Henk Seppen) Trailing 4-0, Neptunus was retired in order again in the bottom of the fifth, but then scored an unearned run in the sixth. Lead-off hitter Dudley Leonora reached on a throwing error, then was forced out on a grounder by John Polonius. He moved to third base on a double by Gianison Boekhoudt, then scored on a grounder by Christian Diaz. Boekhoudt stranded on third base. Amsterdam Pirates got a chance to add another run when it got the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh inning. With one out, Gilmer Lampe singled. He then stole second base in a somewhat confusing situation. While approaching second base, Lampe stopped running and jogged towards the base instead of sliding and in the meantime pointed towards the plate, propably thinking batter Sharlon Schoop had received ball four, as the pitch appeared somewhat high in the strike-zone. However, Schoop apparently had made a swing and struckout. Now with two outs, Denzel Richardson reached on an infield-hit and Kalian Sams walked to load the bases. The three runners were left behind, as Kevin Kelly closed by striking out Sicnarf Loopstok. Kelly struckout Loopstok with his 126th pitch and he was relieved by Berry van Driel in the eighth. The veteran righthander retired all six batters he faced, two of them with a strikeout. After completion of the game, Van Driel was one of three Neptunus-players who retired, the others being Shaldimar Daantji and Benjamin Dille. In the bottom of the seventh, Neptunus got another runner in scoring position. With one out, Benjamin Dille singled and was replaced by pinch-runner Shaldimar Daantji. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Hereafter, Stijn van der Meer hit a soft line drive towards the rightside of the infield. Young second baseman Raydley Legito made a nice catch and got the ball in time to short stop Sharlon Schoop to double up Daantji. Neptunus cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the eighth. Roger Bernadina led off with a single and moved to third base on an one-out double by John Polonius, who reached base for the fourth time. However, Bernadina was able to continue running and scored, as Legito made an error following the double. Two grounders followed and Polonius was left behind on third base. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shairon Martis retired the side. First, Dwayne Kemp lined out to second baseman Raydley Legito. Hereafter, Dashenko Ricardo grounded out to short stop Sharlon Schoop. Martis then closed the inning, the game and the season by striking out Shaldimar Daantji. Amsterdam Pirates was the Baseball Champion of the 2021 season!

...Left: Shairon Martis threw his third complete game of the Series for Amsterdam Pirates... ...Right: Edwin Louisa was the Home Plate Umpire in the deciding Game 7... ...Left: Sharlon Schoop put Amsterdam Pirates ahead with a sacrifice fly in the 5th inning... ...Right: 2B Raydley Legito made four putouts and had six assists for Amsterdam Pirates... ...Shairon Martis has just struckout the final batter in the game, which is... ...followed by celebration time as Amsterdam Pirates again is Dutch Champion... ...Left: Disappointed Neptunus Bench Coach Jan Collins, retiring pitcher Berry van Driel and... ...Head Coach Ronald Jaarsma look to the players of Amsterdam Pirates celebrating the title... ...Right: Ronald Jaarsma congratulates Pirates Head Coach Michael Duursma with the title... ...Left: Pitchers Shairon Martis and Nick Veltkamp with the Championship Trophies... ...Right: Kalian Sams signs autographs... ...The Amsterdam Pirates-fans cheer after winning the Championship-title... (© All Photos: Henk Seppen) ...Umpires Jos van Eijsden (3B), Roy van de Wateringen (2B), Edwin Louisa (HP) and Martijn Bosschaart (1B) pose for... ...a photo before the game, then meet Head Coaches Ronald Jaarsma (Neptunus) and Michael Duursma (Pirates)... ...Kevin Kelly and Shairon Martis were the starting pitchers in Game 7... ...The game was broadcast live on national television by NOS Studio Sport with five camera's... ...Kalian Sams is eliminated in a double play in the 3rd inning thanks to a nice play by 1B Dudley Leonora... ...1B Umpire Martijn Bosschaart keeps a close eye on the play to secure that Leonora remains in touch with the base... ...Left: Centerfielder Gilmer Lampe catches a ball in the third inning... ...Right: There is movement in the Neptunus-bullpen in the 4th inning... ...Left to right: Pitchers Misja Harcksen, Aaron de Groot, Kevin Bakker and Elton Koeiman... ...Left: Gianison Boekhoudt leads off the 4th inning with a surpise bunt-single... ...Looking on are 1B Kenny Berkenbosch and 1B Umpire Martijn Bosschaart... ...Right: Bench Coach Jan Collins talks with pitcher Kevin Kelly in the 5th inning with two runners on base... ...Listening in are catcher Dashenko Ricardo and 2B Dwayne Kemp... ...Left: Umpires Jos van Eijsden and Roy van de Wateringen look on during a break in the action... ...Right: Centerfielder Shaldimar Daantji catches the sacrifice fly from Sharlon Schoop in the 5th that gave Pirates the lead... ...In the 5th inning, Kalian Sams hits the ball into deep leftfield over the scoreboard... ...for a 3-run homerun and is greeted at the plate by Sharlon Schoop... ...Left: More 'activities' in the Neptunus-bullpen in the 5th inning with from left to right... ...pitchers Berry van Driel, Diegomar Markwell, Orlando Yntema and Elton Koeiman and catcher Louie-Jay Sienders... ...Right: A concentrated 1B Umpire Martijn Bosschaart keeps an eye on the action... ...In the 7th inning, Gilmer Lampe dives back during a pick-off while 1B Dudley Leonora waits for the ball... ...Moments later, Lampe steals 2nd base and 2B Dwayne Kemp tries to catch the throw from the catcher... ...Left: Denzel Ricardson delivers a single in the seventh inning... ...Right: Berry van Driel threw the final two innings for Neptunus (and in his long career)... ...Left: Christian Diaz is eliminated in the 8th by 1B Kenny Berkenbosch, watched by 1B Umpire Martijn Bosschaart... ...Right: Celebration-time for Pirates after the final out and disappoinment in the Neptunus dug-out... ...Left: Rookie Emilson Haswell (22) and Kalian Sams (7) congratulate each other... ...Right: Head Coach Michael Duursma celebrates winning the title with his players... ...Sharlon Schoop was named Holland Series Most Valuable Player... ...He is presented the Award by KNBSB-Chairman Mark Herbold, then is applauded by his teammates... ...Left: Denzel Richardson shows his Championship-Medal... ...Right: The players of Neptunus congratulate the players of Amsterdam Pirates with the title; From left... ...Robyn Clara, Denzel Richardson, Misja Harcksen, Kalian Sams, Roger Bernadina, Aaron de Groot and Benjamin Dille... ...Left: KNBSB-Treasurer Remko de Bie and KNBSB-Chairman Mark Herbold with the Championship Trophies... ...Right: Shairon Martis and Nick Veltkamp show the Championship Trophies to the Amsterdam-fans... ...Nick Veltkamp and Shairon Martis return to their teammates... ...with the Championship Trophies... (© All Photos: Robert Bos)

Curaçao Neptunus - L&D Amsterdam Pirates 2-4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E L&D Amsterdam Pirates 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 - 4 4 2 Curaçao Neptunus 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 - 2 9 1 pitcher Amsterdam Pirates inn. SO BB H R ER Shairon Martis, W (2-1) 9 2 - 9 2 1 pitchers Neptunus inn. SO BB H R ER Kevin Kelly, L (1-1) 7 5 7 4 4 4 Berry van Driel 2 2 - - - - Homerun: Pirates: Kalian Sams (2)(5th,3-run,2 outs,off Kelly). Box Score Play-by-Play Standings Scores Schedule Team Rosters Umpires: HP-Edwin Louisa, 1B-Martijn Bosschaart, 2B-Roy van de Wateringen, 3B-Jos van Eijsden. Official Scorer-Linda Steijger. Play-by-Play Scorer-Jeanette van Drunen. Technical Commissioner-Fred van Groningen Schinkel. Public Address Announcer-Hélène van Eijk-Kloos. Scoreboard Operator-Lex Looijen. Starting Time-2:01 PM. Time Played-2:33 hrs. Site-Neptunus Familiestadion, Sportpark Abraham van Stolkweg, Rotterdam. Game Notes: Game 7, best-of-seven Holland Series 2021. Amsterdam Pirates wins Series, 4-3. Amsterdam Pirates captures its sixth Championship-title in club-history and second in a row. Sharlon Schoop (Amsterdam Pirates) named Series Most Valuable Player. Umpire Jos van Eijsden officiates in his first Holland Series-game. Weather conditions at game time: Cloudy, 14° C (57,2° F); wind direction south-southwest; wind speed 18 kmh (11,2 mph); wind force 3 Bft; humidity 68%.

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