Pioniers' Play-Off Results
Year	Oppponent	Result	Holland Series
1995	Neptunus	1 - 3 L
1996	Kinheim	1 - 3 L
1997	Neptunus	3 - 2 W	Dutch champion
1998	Neptunus	2 - 3 L
1999	Neptunus	0 - 3 L
2002	Neptunus	0 - 3 L
2003	HCAW	0 - 3 L
2004	Neptunus	0 - 3 L
2005	HCAW	2 - 3 L
2006	Neptunus	3 - 2 W	? ? ? ? ?
Copyright © 2006 Marco Stoovelaar Grand Slam * Stats & News

Neptunus got the first chances to open the score. They got a runner on second base with two outs in the first inning, then had runners on first and second with only one out in the second at bat. In the third, Johnny Balentina led off with a single and moved on a sac-bunt, but he also stranded.
Pioniers, which left a runner on second in the second at bat, then opened the score in the home third. But it didn't look like that would happen. Norbert Lokhorst led off with a deep triple, but then Michael Duursma lined out to third. Next, Mark Duursma grounded the ball back to pitcher Diegomar Markwell, who threw out Lokhorst at third base, appearing the scoring opportunity came to an end. But then four consecutive basehits followed. First, Glenn Romney singled off Markwell's glove, then Dè Flanegin singled through the middle, scoring Duursma, who beat the throw from second baseman Benjamin Dille. Next, Glennsig Polonius also singled to bring in Romney and increase the lead to 2-0. The bases were loaded when Edwin de Graaf also singled, but then a dropped third strike on Marcel Venema resulted in a force out to end the inning.

Neptunus answered with a run in the fourth inning. Yuji Nerei (who returned home to Japan on Sunday) led off with a single, but was forced out at second base on a grounder by Evert-Jan 't Hoen. Pionier-starter Richard Orman then struckout Jurriaan Korff, who would leave the game hereafter, as his shin swollowed after he hit it with a foul ball. A single by Melfried Comenencia brought 't Hoen into scoring position and he then scored when Jeroen Sluijter also singled. Comenencia and Sluijter advanced on a wild pitch, but they stranded on second and third when next batter Johnny Balentina grounded out.

...Winning Pitcher Richard Orman... ...Second victory... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

Pioniers failed to add more runs in the home fourth. Lars Koehorst then led off with a walk and moved on a sac-bunt by Norbert Lokhorst. Next, Diegomar Markwell hit Michael Duursma, but then two fly outs followed.

After a scoreless fifth inning, Pioniers added two important insurance runs in the sixth. Again with two outs. Lead-off hitter Marcel Venema grounded out, then Lars Koehorst singled, but was caught stealing after a pick-off by Markwell. But then Norbert Lokhorst walked, Michael Duursma singled and Mark Duursma also walked to load the bases. Gregory Gustina was brought in to relief Markwell and was greeted with a 2-run single by Glenn Romney, which made it 4-1.

After giving up the run in the fourth inning, Richard Orman started to throw stronger and retired 11 of the next 12 batters, including the first nine in a row, before walking Raily Legito in the eighth inning. But then, a force play grounder and a strikeout followed. Orman again dominated. Last week, he also pitched very effective in Game Two, taking a Perfect Game into the sixth inning. ,,But I felt better and was sharper last week'', Orman said afterwards. ,,I had a day off from work on Friday and therefore, I maybe have thought too much of this game. I was very tired when I was on the mound today. I started to find the spots better from the third inning on. Of course, there was some tension today, especially in the first few innings. Also for me. Yes, there was some pressure, as this was a very important game.''

Pioniers got three more runners on in the seventh and eighth inning. In the seventh, Edwin de Graaf was hit by a pitch with one out, but then Marcel Venema grounded into a double play. In the eighth, Lars Koehorst led off with a single and moved on a sac-bunt by Norbert Lokhorst. Hereafter, Martijn Nijhoff relieved Gregory Gustina and got Michael Duursma to ground out and keep Koehorst in second base. But then he hit next batter Mark Duursma with a pitch and was relieved by Jan Naterop. The inning then ended when Glenn Romney flied out.

Trailing 4-1, Neptunus showed it didn't gave up that easily. After having already thrown 125 pitches, Richard Orman returned to the mound in the ninth and gave up a single to Lennart Koster. Dave Draijer was brought in to relief Orman. The 37-year old Aruban lefthander was given a nice hand of applause by the big audience in Hoofddorp on his way to the dug-out. After Melfried Comenencia flied out, Draijer gave up a one-hop single to Jeroen Sluijter, which bounced over the glove of third baseman Marcel Venema. The bases were then loaded when Johnny Balentina also singled. But then next batter Benjamin Dille grounded into a nice 4-6-3 double play to end the game. Neptunus, which won the Dutch title the last seven years in a row, was dethroned!

...Paul van den Oever... ...departing Neptunus-coach... (Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

One can only have a lot of respect for Neptunus, which dominated Dutch baseball the last years. The team will not play in the Holland Series for the first time since 1997 when it also was eliminated by Pioniers. Since 1998, the Rotterdam-team played in eight consecutive Series and set a record by winning the last seven in a row. Besides that, it won European Cups and KNBSB Cups frequently to become the most successful team in the last 15 years. This season, Neptunus is left empty handed. No European Cup, no first place in the regular season and no championship. ,,Yes, this is something different. It was very quiet in the dug-out after the last putout, as this is a first for most of us'', Bench Coach Paul van den Oever said afterwards. After last season, seven national team-players left Neptunus (five went to ADO, two opted for Corendon Kinheim), leading to predictions this would be a tough season for the team. ,,During the winter practices, I also had my thoughts'', Van den Oever said. ,,But we of course did have some good players left and from the start of the season, things started to work out very well, resulting in a second place.'' There was a major role this season for Johnny Balentina. The veteran returned to Neptunus and not only had an MVP-caliber season, but also led the team, while Diegomar Markwell was the leading pitcher and Japanese Yuji Nerei proved to be a welcome newcomer. Van den Oever: ,,Maybe this is good for baseball in the Netherlands. There was a taste of some jealousy here and there and some hoped we wouldn't do well this season. But don't forget that we never won the championship beforehand. It had to be done on the field everytime. This time, Pioniers played a good series. We've had great years. It would be strange if I would say something else now we have lost.'' This was the last game for Paul van den Oever, who had announced his retirement some weeks ago. ,,I don't know yet what I will do, but I will not be in uniform again. Yes, I will remain with Neptunus and be a frequent visitor. But also do other things for which I never had time before. Baseball will remain an important part of my life.''
Next season, Neptunus will be led by Eric de Bruin, while Jan Collins (catching coach) and Steve Janssen (3B and pitching coach) will remain. And because of finishing in second place, Neptunus will play in the European CupWinners Cup tournament next year.
(September 16)

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