ADO rallied for five runs in the second inning, what appeared to be an early comfortable lead, but in the remainder of the game only three runs were added, while the pitching gave up six runs in the last four innings. In the second at bat, ADO had only one basehit, but scored five runs, thanks to lack of control by Almere-starter Forstin Coenraad, who walked six batters. With one out, Harvey Monte and Idelgardo Raap walked, then the bases were loaded when the latter reached second base safely on an error on a force play-grounder by Adrian Anthony. The first run was then scored when Michel Korzeniewski followed with a single. The next four runs were scored the easy was, as Coenraad walked Dimitri Leon, Jaïr Roseburg, Maikel Benner and Marvin Bleij in order, resulting in a 5-0 lead. Coenraad was then finally relieved by Patrick de Lange, who ended the inning when Boudewijn van Elswijk grounded into a double play.

Almere, which left two runners in the second inning, answered with two runs in the third inning off starter Berry van Driel. Wesley Bernardus led off with a walk and Eugene Kingsale followed with a single to put runners on second and third base. Next, Bernardus scored when Emeron Lourens also singled. Van Driel then hit next batter Derrick Francisca with a pitch to load the bases. Hereafter, ADO turned a double play on a grounder by Bryan Engelhardt, but that enabled Kingsale to score.

In the home of the third, ADO got one run back when Harvey Monte singled, stole second and scored on a 2-out single by Michel Korzeniewski. In the next at bat, ADO added another run. With one out, Maikel Benner singled, stole second and scored on a 2-out single by Boudewijn van Elswijk.

With a 7-2 lead, it seemed to go ADO's way, but that changed in the sixth inning when Almere rallied for four runs to come within one run. Rookie Dennis Burgersdijk had taken over the pitching in the fourth inning for ADO and allowed two batters to reach base, but now in the sixth, he gave up four hits, while the defense committed two errors, resulting in four runs, two of which were unearned. Burgersdijk first hit lead-off hitter Randy Daal with a pitch, then gave up a single to Niels van Weert. The two runners advanced on a sac-bunt by Jeffrey de Vrieze, then both scored when a throwing error was made on a possible double play-grounder by Frank van Leeuwen. After Van Leeuwen moved into scoring position on a single by Wesley Bernardus, he scored when a throwing error on a double play-attempt followed on a grounder by Eugene Kingsale. Bernardus was forced out on second on the play, but as the ball went by first base, Van Leeuwen scored and Kingsale moved to second base. Moments later, Kingsale scored on a single by Emeron Lourens. Another single by Derrick Francisca followed, but then Burgersdijk ended the inning by striking out Bryan Engelhardt.

In the home of the sixth, ADO increased its lead to a 2-run margin. Jermaine Esprit, who was added to the batting order as an additional batter, reached on an error and stole second base. With two outs, he scored on a single by Maikel Benner, but this would be ADO's last run in the game. The team left two runners in the seventh inning, then got the bases loaded in the eighth with two outs, but failed to add more runs.

Almere scored two more runs in the last two innings to come alongside. But first, they collected three hits, but didn't score in the seventh inning off rookie Jeoffrey de Groot. With one out, Randy Daal singled and moved on a 2-out single by Jeffrey de Vrieze. Daal then tried to score on a single by his brother Ricky Daal, but was thrown out in a rundown between third and home.
Still leading 8-6, ADO brought in experienced closer Robin van Doornspeek for the save, but instead he was credited with a 'blown save', as he gave up two runs. In the eighth inning, he gave up an one-out single to Eugene Kingsale, who stole second and scored on a 2-out single by Derrick Francisca. Almere then again took risks on the basepaths. Francisca first stole second base, then tried to score on a single by Bryan Engelhardt, but was thrown out at the plate on a throw by leftfielder Adrian Anthony.
In the ninth inning, Almere tied the score, 8-8. With one out, Randy Daal singled, stole second base and reached third on a passed ball. He then scored on a sac-fly by Giovannie Samboe, who was added to the batting order in the eighth inning.
(April 1)

In the two games, Kinheim collected 29 basehits, including four doubles by Vince Rooi, who had six basehits in the double-header to lead the Haarlem-offense, while Danny Rombley had five and Dirk van 't Klooster four.
Starting pitchers Patrick Beljaards and David Bergman both threw five shutout innings.
(April 1)

Complete Recaps, Line Scores, Box Scores & Photos

...Michael Duursma dives back safely into first base... ...1B Roy Harteveld receives the ball; Umpire Frank Volkers looks on... (Photo: Ron Wicklert - www.eott.nl)

The pitchers and the defense dominated in the first four innings of the Pioniers vs. Pirates game. Pionier-starter Roger Kops allowed only two Pirate-batters to reach base in this period. In the second, Bas de Jong led off with a single, but then a double play followed. In the fourth, lead-off batter Björn Henrichs reached base on an error, then another double play followed, as he returned back to first base too late after next batter Zaïr Koeiman flied out.
For Pirates, Nick Stuifbergen started and retired the first eight batters in a row, before walking Norbert Lokhorst with two outs in the third inning. The inning then ended on a grounder. Just as his brother Tom Stuifbergen did yesterday, Nick didn't gave up a basehit. He struckout five batters, including four on a called third strike. Because of the problems with the mound, Stuifbergen didn't return in the fourth inning and was relieved by Kevin Miner, who walked lead-off batter Michael Duursma and was supported with an inning-ending double play.

In the fifth inning, Pirates scored three runs off Roger Kops. Bas de Jong led off with a double, then Roderick Simon walked. The two moved on a sac-bunt by Joey Berkenbosch, then D.J. Cleofa followed with an RBI-single to give Pirates the lead. With two outs, Remco Draijer also singled in a run, as did next batter Björn Henrichs. Draijer and Henrichs moved to second and third base on a passed ball, but they were left there, as Zaïr Koeiman grounded out to end the inning.

After leaving a runner on third base in the fifth inning, Pioniers scored its lone run in the sixth inning off Kevin Miner. Nick Fridsma led off with a single, but was caught stealing, then Norbert Lokhorst and Jefferson Muzo hit back-to-back doubles, resulting in a run. Next, Miner hit Michael Duursma with a pitch, before the inning ended when Marcel Venema grounded into a double play, which also was the end of the game.
(April 1)

...Players check and work on the mount, before the game is stopped... (Photo: Ron Wicklert - www.eott.nl)

...Tough first outing... ...for Chris Ryan... (Photo: Ron Wicklert www.eott.nl)

As they did earlier today, Pirates scored all runs in one inning. Was it the fifth at bat against Pioniers, now it was the fourth against Neptunus. In the first two innings, Pirates reached base twice off starter Leon Boyd, who was relieved by American Chris Ryan in the third. The lefthander, who arrived on Thursday, was supported with a double play in the third, but then gave up five basehits and four runs in the fourth inning. The American was hit hard and gave lead-off back-to-back doubles to Zaïr Koeiman and Sidney de Jong, which produced the first run. After Bas de Jong singled, Roderick Simon followed with an RBI-single to make it 2-0. De Jong and Simon moved on a grounder by Joey Berkenbosch, then both scored when next batter D.J. Cleofa also doubled, increasing the lead to 4-0. Roy Harteveld then also grounded out against his former club, but next Ryan loaded the bases by walking Remco Draijer and Björn Henrichs. A line drive by Zaïr Koeiman followed, but more runs were avoided, as third baseman Jeroen Sluijter made a nice catch to end the inning.

...Catcher Sidney de Jong and Pitcher... ...Kenny Berkenbosch discuss pitches... (Photo: Ron Wicklert - www.eott.nl)

In the fifth inning, Roderick Simon singled and Joey Berkenbosch doubled with two outs off new pitcher Jurjen van Zijl, who then ended the inning with a strikeout. In the sixth, Björn Henrichs reached base on a throwing error with two outs, but was thrown out on a nice play by second baseman Benjamin Dille. After an overthrow by third baseman Jeroen Sluijter, Henrichs reached first base, but was surprised there, as Dille, who covered the play, threw his out. In the seventh, Jurjen van Zijl walked two batters with one out, but came out of the inning unharmed. Gregory Gustina then added an one-two-three eighth inning.

Neptunus couldn't make a fist off Pirate-starter Kenny Berkenbosch, who struckout six and gave up only three hits in the five innings he pitched. In the first inning, he gave up an one-out infield-hit to Jurriaan Korff, but then a strikeout and a foul-out followed. In the second, Martijn Meeuwis doubled with one out and moved on a passed ball. But after Jeffrey Arends walked, this inning ended when Melfried Comenencia grounded into a double play. After retiring nine batters in a row, Berkenbosch gave up an infield-hit to Comenencia with two outs in the fifth. The inning could be over hereafter as Jeroen Sluijter struckout, but he reached first base, as the third strike was a wild pitch. A flyout then did end the at bat.

In the sixth and seventh inning, off new pitcher Seppo Slaman, Neptunus reached base twice in each at bat, both with two outs, but stranded all runners. The Rotterdam-squad, who played without veteran Johnny Balentina today, then scored its two runs in the eighth inning, which was the last of this game. Evert-Jan 't Hoen led off with his second exhibition homerun, then Martijn Meeuwis doubled with one out. After moving on a grounder, Meeuwis scored on an infield-hit by Jeroen Sluijter. Hereafter, Slaman walked Benjamin Dille, but the inning ended with a double play.
(April 1)

Sparks opened the score in the first inning. With one out, Olav Baas reached on an error and moved to third base on a single by Erik Lindeman. Baas then scored on a double by Bervin Hurkmans. Next, Lindeman was thrown out at home on a grounder to third by Bram v.d. Linden, after which the inning ended with a strikeout.
Two runs were added in the second at bat. Lennart Stut led off with a single and moved on a passed ball. With one out, Tjade Bouma walked, then Allan Hazel followed with an RBI-single. Next, Bouma scored on a sac-fly by Olav Baas.
After three scoreless innings, Sparks increased the lead to 4-0 with a run in the sixth inning. With two outs, Tjade Bouma singled and scored in a single by Olav Baas.

De Hazenkamp stranded six runners in the first five innings, but then suddenly rallied for four runs in the home of the sixth off pitcher Jesse Bouma. Mark Schonenberg led off with a single, then moved to third on a double by Dylan Kamoen. Wesley Kamoen followed with another double to produce two runs. After moving to third on a single by Bas Langenhuizen, Kamoen scored on a wild pitch. Hazenkamp loaded the bases when Roy Beuker walked and Steffen Vos singled. Langenhuizen then scored the tying run on a force play-grounder by Bas Beuker. A chance of scoring the winning run failed, as Roy Beuker was thrown out at home trying to steal it, ending the game.
(April 1)

...Kevin Gerard... ...2 doubles, 5 RBI's... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

RCH collected 14 basehits, including four by catcher Sevard Seferina, who also scored twice and had three RBI's. Infielder Kevin Gerard had two hits, scored twice, but contributed with five RBI's, as his two hits both were doubles. Churandy La Cruz also doubled twice and scored three runs, as did Michel Croes. All nine starting players in RCH's batting order scored at least two runs and had at least one RBI.

RCH had two big rallies, scoring seven runs in the first and nine in the second inning. In the first inning, the first seven batters reached base safely, before the first out was registered. Nick Heij led off with a double and would score on an error, while the third run was scored after a passed ball with the bases loaded. In between, the second run was scored on a single by Floris Morang. After the passed ball, the bases were loaded again when Michel Croes walked, then Kevin Gerard cleared the bases with a 3-run double off starter Robert van der Pol, who last season was his teammate with Amsterdam Pirates. Gerard also moved on a passed ball, then Robbert Vogel struckout for the first out, before Giovanni Josefa singled in the seventh run.

In the second inning, 13 batters faced starting pitcher Robert van der Pol, who last season pitched for big leaguer Amsterdam Pirates, but this season returns to his former club. This time, the first ten batters reached base safely, before the first out was made. After the first three batters reached base, a run was scored when Jeroen Bakker was hit by a pitch. An error on a force play-grounder resulted in another run, before Kevin Gerard again doubled and added two runs. Gerard then scored on a single by Robbert Vogel, which was followed by a triple by Giovanni Josefa and an RBI-single by Nick Heij. Next, Sevard Seferina reached on an infield-hit, before Floris Morang grounded into a double play. Churandy La Cruz added an RBI-double to make it 16-0, before the inning ended with a groundout.
In the two innings, he pitched Van der Pol gave up 12 basehits and all 16 runs, ten of which were earned.

Sparks stranded three runners in the first inning, then left another runner in scoring position in the next at bat. In the third, RCH-starter Martin Kuipers gave up an one-out double to Bervin Hurkmans, who later scored on an outfield-error.
In the home of the third, RCH added four more runs off the Bouma-brothers. After Michel Croes scored the first one on a wild pitch, the bases were loaded on a fielder's choice and two walks. Hereafter, Tjade Bouma was relieved by Jesse Bouma, who then gave up a 3-run double to Sevard Seferina.
In the fourth (and last) inning, both teams scored one run. Allan Hazel scored for Sparks on an error, while Churandy La Cruz doubled and scored on a sac-fly for RCH.
(April 1)

HCAW used four pitchers in this game, including three rookies, and it was the most experienced one of this quartet who gave up the four runs. After starter Sten van den Bedem pitched two scoreless and hitless innings and was supported with a double play in the second inning, Kevin Roovers took over in the third. In the two innings he pitched, Roovers gave up six hits and four runs.
In the third, Lex Leijenaar led off with a bunt-single, then scored on an one-out double by Nick Heij, who moved on a single by Sevard Seferina. Next, Heij scored on a sac-fly by Thomas Morang. Hereafter, Seferina stole second base and Churandy La Cruz walked. The inning ended when Seferina was caught stealing.
In the fourth, Jeroen Bakker and Kevin Gerard led off with singles, then moved when catcher Juriën Overman made an error on a sac-bunt by Michel Croes to load the bases. Roovers then picked off Gerard on second base, but moments later Croes stole second to move into scoring position. After Roovers struckout Lex Leijenaar, Giovanni Josefa singled in both Bakker and Croes to increase the lead to 4-0. Roovers ended the at bat with another strikeout.

In the fifth inning, RCH reached base on Joep de Wit, but didn't score. In the sixth, they got the bases loaded off Rutger Zwaal with two outs, but he ended the inning by striking out Robbert Vogel.
HCAW had only four basehits off three pitchers. In the first inning, Ronald Jaarsma singled with two outs off starter Alexander Plakke, who gave up a lead-off single in the second inning to Sergio Koelemij. After Koelemij stole second and moved on a grounder, the inning ended when Bart Gabriëls lined into a double play to short stop Nick Heij.
In the third and fourth inning, Siemen Korff and Gino Henson (bunt) both reached on an infield-hit with one out, but both stranded on second base. In the fifth, off new pitcher Bobbie van Duuren, HCAW got two runners on, when Juriën Overman and Siemen Korff walked with one out. This time, a foul-fly and a strikeout ended the inning. Ewout Bos pitched an one-two-three sixth inning.
(April 1)