Only one time earlier, the Holland Series started with the first two games ending in an 1-0 score. That was in 1984 when Terrasvogels won both the first and second game with this minimal score. Opponent then was HHC, which is now known as Sparks Haarlem. This were the only games played in that Series, which was then a best-of-three, and by winning twice Terrasvogels won the title.

The teams underscored again that they are very equal in this Series. Did Terrasvogels got the better chances late in the game, Sparks Haarlem was slightly more successful overall. Look at the figures: Sparks Haarlem got 13 runners on base, including seven in scoring position, Terrasvogels got 11 runners on base, including in six scoring position. But Sparks left 10 runners behind and Terrasvogels 8. Offensively, Sparks outhit Terrasvogels 5-3, but ended up short in the end.

In the first Sparks-inning, Lynn Geertman doubled with one out, but stranded at second base when a foul-fly and a strikeout followed. In the home first, Sandra Gouverneur led off with a walk, but was then picked off first base by catcher Kinge Bouma. With two outs, Nina van Huissteden singled, but there were no runners to advance.

In the third inning, Sabrina Soumeru led off for Sparks with a grounder, but reached on a throwing error. She advanced on a sac-bunt, but was left at second base when two flyouts followed.
In the home third, Sandra Gouverneur hit the ball to deep leftfield with two outs, but leftfielder Mariska Greve made a fine catch just in front of the fence.

Both teams got another chance in the fourth inning. In the top of the at bat, Marloes Fellinger singled with one out and advanced on a sac-bunt by Mariska Greve. She was then replaced by pinch-runner Anne Blaauwgeers, but she remained at second base as next batter Kinge Bouma popped out.
In the home fourth, Dana Horeman doubled with two outs, but also was left behind when Annemiek van Riessen flied out.

Sparks and Terrasvogels got their next chances to score in the seventh inning.
Kinge Bouma led off the seventh inning with an infield-hit to deep short, but was forced out at second base on a grounder by Chantal Versluis. After pinch-hitter Blake Hoorelbeke popped out, Versluis stole second base, after which Kim Kluijskens was walked intentionally to set up a force play. Lynn Geertman then hit a hard grounder to third baseman Dana Horeman, who made a nice fielding action and stepped on her base for the force out and end the inning.

In the home seventh, Terrasvogels got the bases loaded with no outs, but failed to score. Dana Horeman led off with a single, then Annemiek van Riessen walked. A grounder by Nathalie Gosewehr was then fielded by pitcher Crissy Autry, who made the throw to third, but Horeman was in time to reach third base. While the throw was high and went by the base, the runners were unable to advance. Linda Hoenderdos then struckout which brought pinch-hitter Femke Haage to bat. She turned for a squeeze, but bunted the ball up in the air. Second baseman Lynn Geertman caught the ball and was able to complete a double play, as Dana Horeman was unable to get back in time to third base. As a result, the score remained 0-0 and the game went into extra innings.

In the eighth Sparks-inning, tie-break runner Lynn Geertman advanced to third base on a sac-bunt by Jolanda Kroesen, then was thrown out at home on a bunt by Noémi Boekel. Next, Marloes Fellinger walked, but the inning ended when Mariska Greve popped out.

In the home eighth, Nicole Wessels was the runner on second base for Terrasvogels, who then beat the throw to third base on a sac-bunt by Marieke Jansen, who therefore also reached first base safely. To create a force play next batter Sandra Gouverneur was walked intentionally. The set-up almost was successful when Petra van Heijst followed with a squeeze. Her bunt, however, was perfect towards first base. Kim Kluijskens fielded the ball and threw it to catcher Kinge Bouma. But as the ball was a little off target, Bouma was not in touch with the plate when she received the ball and had to tag the sliding Nicole Wessels. While turning her arm backwards to tag, Bouma's glove with the ball went by the back of Wessels, who made a beautiful sliding. Contact of the tag wasn't clearly visible, but Home Plate Umpire Peter Vonk gave the safe signal and the lone run of the game was scored. ,,I touched her, I know I hit something'', catcher Kinge Bouma said afterwards.
(October 8)

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