Grand Slam

Baseball Recaps
March 17, 2007

Compiled and Copyright © 1997-2007 by Marco Stoovelaar

Saturday, March 17
Kinheim opens with huge win.
ADO wins after 3-0 deficit.
2-game series Pioniers scrubbed.
HCAW No-Hits Almere.
Pirates wins fourth in a row.
Almere ends streak Pirates.



Kinheim opens with huge win
Nederlands | Line Score | Box Score | RCH's previous game
Standings | Schedule | All Line Scores & Box Scores
HAARLEM (Neth.) - Dutch champion Corendon Kinheim opened its exhibition season strongly on Saturday with a huge 21-2 victory against MediaMonks RCH on 18 basehits, including five by Dirk van 't Klooster. The game was played in the Pim Mulier Stadium in Haarlem, as the site of RCH in Heemstede was not available.

The game really lasted only one inning, or maybe even less, as Kinheim rallied for twelve runs in the first at bat of this game, in which all nine innings were played. RCH-starter Bobbie van Duuren couldn't find the strikezone in his first exhibition start, as he walked four of the eight batters he faced, while hitting another and gave up two basehits. When he was relieved by Alexander Plakke, there was only one out and Kinheim was leading 5-0. Van Duuren first walked lead-off batter Danny Rombley, then gave up a single to Dirk van 't Klooster. The bases were loaded when Roel Koolen also walked. Kinheim then scored its first run when Tjerk Smeets was hit by a pitch. Two more runs were added when Vince Rooi and Jeffrey Verbij also walked. With the bases still loaded, Wouter Heemskerk popped up in the infield for the first out, but Robin Longhurst followed with a 2-run single to make it 5-0.

...Vince Rooi connects for Kinheim...
(Photo: Arie-Jan Lam)
Hereafter, Plakke took over for Van Duuren, but that didn't stop Kinheim from scoring. The bases were re-loaded when Plakke walked Denny Beljaards, then issued a runscoring walk to René Cremer. The second putout was then registered when Danny Rombley grounded to third, forcing out Longhurst at home. The scoring wasn't over yet, as Dirk van 't Klooster hit a 2-run single, then Roel Koolen singled in a run, followed by a 2-run double by Tjerk Smeets and an RBI-double by former pro Vince Rooi, who last year played in the Pittsburgh Pirates-organization. Before that, Rooi played six seasons for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals-organization. The inning finally ended when Jeffrey Verbij, the 16th batter in the inning, flied out. Kinheim added three runs in the third inning when Smeets (one run) and Rooi (2-run) doubled again to make it 15-0.


...Kinheim-catcher Tjerk Smeets...
...4-for-5, 2 doubles, 1 homerun...
...5 Runs, 6 RBI's...
(Photo: Arie-Jan Lam)
After Kinheim-starter Patrick Beljaards silenced RCH in the first two innings, the lefthander gave up four hits and a run in the third at bat. With one out, he gave up a single to former Pirate Kevin Gerard, who played in his first game for his new club. Beljaards then struckout another former Pirate, Giovanni Josefa (Pirates-2), before the bases were loaded when Jeroen Bakker and Jim Leijenaar singled. RCH then scored its first run when Floris Morang, who last season played for Kinheim, also singled. But hereafter, RCH stranded three runners, as Lex Leijenaar grounded out.

After a scoreless fourth inning, Kinheim scored twice in the fifth at bat. With one out, Dirk van 't Klooster walked, then, with two outs, Tjerk Smeets homered to give him six RBI's in this game. In the sixth, Wouter Heemskerk walked, advanced to third base on a throwing error, and scored on a single by René Cremer. In the seventh, the lead was lifted to 20-1 on RBI-singles by Jeffrey Verbij and Wouter Heemskerk. On the latter's basehit, Tjerk Smeets scored his fifth run in this game. The catcher reached base in all of his six at bats, as did Dirk van 't Klooster, who was 5-for-5, scored four runs and had three RBI's. Smeets, last years league MVP, was 4-for-5, including three extra basehits. Rooi was credited with four RBI's. Kinheim scored its final run in the eighth inning when René Cremer doubled and scored on the fifth basehit in the game by Dirk van 't Klooster.

RCH scored its second run in the home part of the eighth inning. After lead-off hitter Nick Heij flied out, Jimmy van der Veldt, who had taken over for Beljaards in the fourth, was relieved by Michiel van Kampen. Van der Veldt had a fine outing, as only two of the 13 batters he faced reached base, both times in the fifth. In that at bat, Kevin Gerard led off with a single, but he was doubled up at first base after Nick Heij flied out to third. Bobby Heij then walked, but hereafter Van der Veldt retired the next eight batters in a row, before giving over to Van Kampen. Kinheim's closer started by hitting Bobby Heij with a pitch, then gave up singles to Jim Leijenaar and Alex Vogel (infield-hit) to load the bases. A grounder back to Van Kampen by Lex Leijenaar forced out Heij at the plate, but when Wouter Heemskerk (who took over as catcher in the sixth) tried to complete a double play at first base, he made a throwing error, resulting in a run, but that was all for RCH.
(March 17)



ADO wins after 3-0 deficit
Nederlands | Line Score | Box Score | ADO's previous game | Sparta/Feyenoord's previous game
Standings | Schedule | All Line Scores & Box Scores
THE HAGUE (Neth.) - ADO, which last weekend lost its exhibiton opener, today was trailing 3-0 when it scored four runs in the last three innings to win 4-3 vs. Sparta/Feyenoord.

The game remained scoreless for three innings in which both teams left the bases loaded in the second at bat. In the top of the second, Shurendell Borgschot singled with one out for Sparta/Feyenoord, then stole second base. After Sil Wagenaar grounded out, the bases were loaded when Orson Slaats walked and Earmy Isabella singled. The inning then ended when Shaldimar Daantji grounded out to starting pitcher Quint Tramm. The righthander was added to ADO's staff for this game by Head Coach Wim Martinus, who only has three pitchers available at the moment. Tramm came to the Netherlands from Curaçao last September and played the remainder of the season in the third team of the club.
In the home of the second, ADO loaded the bases with two outs. After a flyout, Harvey Monte walked, but was forced out on second base on a grounder by Boudewijn van Elswijk. Sparta/Feyenoord-starter Rudy Seebus then gave up a single to Adrian Anthony and walked Dimitri Leon to load the bases, but this at bat ended on a force play-grounder by Michel Korzeniewski.

In the fourth inning, Sparta/Feyenoord took a 1-0 lead when Shurendell Borgschot walked with one out and scored on a 2-out double by Orson Slaats off Berry van Driel, who had taken over in the third inning. The second run was added in the sixth inning off Dennis Burgersdijk, who started the inning. He was greeted with a single by rookie Rien Vernooy, who advanced on a passed ball, moved on a grounder and scored on a wild pitch. Sparta/Feyenoord made it 3-0 in the seventh inning. Patrick Wabijn led off with a double, moved on a passed ball and scored on a 2-out single by Dwayne Kemp.

ADO came back with a run in the home of the seventh off Elton Koeiman, Sparta/Feyenoord's fourth pitcher in this game. Jaïr Roseburg led off with a triple and scored on a sac-fly by Percy Isenia. In the home of the eighth, ADO turned the game around by scoring three runs off Koeiman's successor Leon de Bijl. ADO loaded the bases when Boudewijn van Elswijk walked, Adrian Anthony singled and Dimitri Leon also walked. Van Elswijk then scored on a sac-fly by Michel Korzeniewski. After Jason Halman walked, De Bijl enabled ADO to come alongside and take the lead on two wild pitches. He recovered by striking out Idelgardo Raap, but then was replaced by Daan Baecke, who retired ADO's remaining four batters in this game.

Trailing 4-3, Shaldimar Daantji led off the ninth for Sparta/Feyenoord with a bunt-single, then stole second base. Hereafter, Robin van Doornspeek retired the next three batters, including two with a strikeout, to become the winning pitcher.
(March 17)


2-game series Pioniers scrubbed
Nederlands | Pioniers' previous game
Standings | Schedule | All Line Scores & Box Scores
HOOFDDORP (Neth.) - The 2-game series of Konica Minolta Pioniers against its First Division-team Omron Pioniers was canceled, due to the field situation on Sportpark Toolenburg in Hoofddorp.

Both games, to be played today and tomorrow, were already removed from the schedule before the weekend. Currently, maintenance and construction work is going on at the main field, where the outfield-fences are being brought in and a new warning track is being added. Because of this situation, there is one senior-level field available for the entire club. Also, because of this, the big league-team conducted its weekly training sessions on the complex of Amsterdam Pirates in Amsterdam. Therefore, both games against Pirates, scheduled for next weekend, will be played in Amsterdam.

Today, Pioniers held an extra practice session on Field 2 and played an intersquad game with addition of some players of the second team. Because of the expected unfavorable weather conditions for tomorrow, activities for that day were canceled.
(March 17)



HCAW No-Hits Almere
Nederlands | Line Score | Box Score | Almere's previous game | HCAW's previous game
Standings | Schedule | All Line Scores & Box Scores
ALMERE (Neth.) - Mr. Cocker HCAW opened the triple-header at Almere with a 1-1 tie against hosting Almere '90, while pitchers Jeroen Hubert and Rutger Zwaal combined on a 5-inning No-Hitter.

HCAW, which opened last weekend with two losses, took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Almere-starter Forstin Coenraad walked three batters. First, Ronald Jaarsma led off with a walk, but then Shurty Tremus struckout. Ralph Milliard then also walked, before Jaarsma advanced to third after a passed ball. Jaarsma scored on a grounder by Gino Henson, which resulted in a force out at second base. HCAW then loaded the bases when Sergio Koelemij walked and Bart Gabriëls reached on an error. But HCAW was unable to add another run, as Coenraad struckout rookie Stefan Hoogewerff.

Just as it did last week, HCAW got all of its hits in one inning. In the second, Juriën Overman singled with one out, then Ronald Jaarsma singled with two outs, but both runners were left behind. In the fourth inning, two batters walked with one out, but this time Almere turned a double play.

Almere reached base only three times, but managed to score a (unearned) run. In the second inning, Randy Daal led off with a walk, stole second base and moved to third on a passed ball. Next, HCAW-starter Jeroen Hubert struckout Giovannie Samboe and Jeffrey de Vrieze. The inning could have been over hereafter, as Ricky Daal flied into centerfield, but there an error was made, which tied the score. Hereafter, the last ten batters in the game were retired in order. Hubert, who threw the first three innings, struckout five batters, before Rutger Zwaal added two perfect innings. Defensively, HCAW's first baseman Gino Henson (in the first inning) and second baseman Ralph Milliard (in the third inning) made two nice plays on hits by Niels van Weert.
(March 17)



Pirates wins fourth in a row
Nederlands | Line Score | Box Score | HCAW's previous game | Pirates' previous game
Standings | Schedule | All Line Scores & Box Scores
ALMERE (Neth.) - In Game Two of the triple-header in Almere, Amsterdam Pirates remained unbeaten in the exhibition season, winning its fourth consecutive game by defeating Mr. Cocker HCAW, 6-4.

Pirates opened the score in the first inning when, with two outs, Sidney de Jong walked and scored on a double by Ferd van Stekelenburg, who played in his first game of the year. After HCAW turned a double play in the second inning, the Bussum-squad, which lost five players to Pirates after last season, gave up three runs in the third inning. HCAW's starter Mark Kolner loaded the bases by walking Remco Draijer (with one out), Sidney de Jong and Ferd van Stekelenburg (both with two outs). The bases were then cleared when former HCAW-outfielder Bas de Jong hit a 3-run double.

Pirates made it 6-0 by adding two runs in the fifth inning off Joep de Wit, who had taken over for Kolner in the fourth inning. Zaïr Koeiman led off with a single, followed by a double from Sidney de Jong. De Wit then struckout Ferd van Stekelenburg, who last season made his big league-debut while playing for Instant Holland Almere '90. Next, Bas de Jong picked up his fourth RBI in the game when he singled, then an infield-error on a pop-fly by Kenny Berkenbosch loaded the bases. A walk for Roderick Simon then enabled Sidney de Jong to make it 6-0. Today, De Jong again reached base three times, meaning he now has reached base safely in his last 13 at bats.

HCAW faced its former pitcher Jos de Jong. He threw four strong innings, giving up only one basehit, a lead-off single to Juriën Overman in the third inning, but Pirates then turned a double play. But in the fifth at bat, De Jong gave up four unearned runs, as the Pirates-defense committed three errors. Sergio Koelemij led off with a single, then Bart Gabriëls reached on an error. After a strikeout, an error was made on a foul-fly by Juriën Overman, who then walked to load the bases. Koelemij and Gabriëls then both scored when an outfield-error was made on a fly by Siemen Korff. Moments later, Overman scored on a grounder by Ronald Jaarsma. After next batter Shurty Tremus walked, Raban Schalm was brought in to relief De Jong. He gave up a single to former teammate Sidney Ensermo, who two seasons ago played for Pirates, enabling Korff to narrow the lead to 6-4. But the game ended when Ensermo was picked off first base by catcher Sidney de Jong, leaving a runner in scoring position.
(March 17)



Almere ends streak Pirates
Nederlands | Line Score | Box Score | Almere's previous game | Pirates' previous game
Standings | Schedule | All Line Scores & Box Scores
ALMERE (Neth.) - The triple-header at Almere ended today with a 6-2 victory by host Almere '90, which ended the 4-game winning streak of Amsterdam Pirates.

Pirates, which is having a good exhibition season offensively so far, had only two basehits in this game. The first came from the bat of hot-hitting Bas de Jong, a 2-out single in the fourth inning. The second was registered by Björn Henrichs in the fifth at bat.

Almere took a 1-0 lead in the first inning off starter Kevin Miner. With two outs, Derrick Francisca, who last season played for Pirates, singled. His basehit came after Miner had to throw 17 pitches (eleven foul balls) to previous batter Emeron Lourens, who grounded out. Moments later, Francisca scored on a double by Bryan Engelhardt. Miner had to throw even more pitches, as next batters Randy Daal and Giovannie Samboe both walked. But Almere left three runners behind, as Ricky Daal fouled out to end the inning.

Almere-starter Patrick de Lange, who made his big league-debut with Pirates and threw for Mr. Cocker HCAW last season, faced only nine batters in the first three innings. After De Lange retired the first six batters in a row, an error on a grounder by lead-off hitter Roderick Simon gave Pirates its first runner. But after a strikeout, a double play followed. In the fourth inning, Pirates stranded two runners.

In the home of the fourth, Almere rallied for five runs off Nick Stuifbergen, who just took over for Miner. With one out, Jeffrey de Vrieze doubled and Wesley Bernardus reached on an error. The bases were loaded when Eugene Kingsale walked. Singles by Emeron Lourens (2-run) and Derrick Francisca (1-run) the lifted the lead to 4-0. Another run was added on a grounder by Bryan Engelhardt and another one on a 2-out single by Giovannie Samboe.

Pirates came back with two runs in the fifth inning off new pitcher Jerry Breek (who, like De Lange, pitched for Pirates in the past). Breek hit lead-off batter Djurvin Cleofa with a pitch and walked Roderick Simon, then gave up an one-out single to Björn Henrichs to load the bases. Next, Remco Draijer grounded to first baseman Ricky Daal, enabling Cleofa to score. Draijer was ruled safe at first, as Daal overran the base without touching it. While Almere argued the call, Simon also scored. Pirates didn't add more runs, as a foul out and a force play ended the 5-inning game.
(March 17)


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Last Update: March 17, 2007
Copyright © 1997-2007 Marco Stoovelaar.