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Updated: March 31, 2015
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(Story by Marco Stoovelaar with a contribution by Jeroen van de Wiel; Photos by Rein Merkx)

Hoboken Pioneers wins Pre-Season Tournament in Moergestel
Nederlands
MOERGESTEL (Neth.) - Hoboken Pioneers from Belgium is this years winner of the fifth edition of the annual international Pre-Season Tournament, organized by Roef! in Moergestel. Due to the bad weather, the entire tournament was played indoors last weekend in the indoor-facility of Roef!, which organizes a tournament with the same name for junior-teams since 2008.

Seven teams participated and met each other once. After completion of the event, Hoboken Pioneers shared first place with Ban-Topa Future Stars. And so, the game played between these two teams was decisive. Hoboken had won that game with a 4-0 score, meaning they ended up in first place, while Ban-Topa Future Stars finished in second place. Organisor Roef!, which had won the previous two tournaments, finished in third place.

Final Standings
1. Hoboken Pioneers (Belgium), 2. Ban-Topa Future Stars (Netherlands), 3. Roef! (Netherlands), 4. Žraloci Ledenice (Czech Republic),
5. Neunkirchen Nightmares (Germany), 6. HCAW (Netherlands), 7. Hamburg Knights (Germany).

Previous Winners
2011-Twins; 2012-Neunkirchen Nightmares; 2013-Roef!; 2014-Roef!


...Jeroen van de Wiel...
(© Photo: Rein Merkx)
Jeroen van de Wiel, who after last season stepped down as Head Coach of Roef! after having led the team for five years and is one of the organisors of the event, looks back to the event in the following article.

For the fifth time, the international Pre-Season Tournament was held at Roef!. Because of the bad weather, this edition was entirely played indoors.

This year, the field of participants was compiled of the numbers one and two from Germany, Neunkirchen Nightmares and Hamburg Knights, the number 2 from Belgium Hoboken Pioneers, Žraloci Ledenice from the Czech League and Silver League-teams HCAW, Ban-Topa Future Stars and Roef!. A half round-robin was played between these seven teams. A team got three points for a win and one for a tie. Looking back, the second game of the tournament between Ban-Topa and Hoboken proved to be the decisive game. This game was won 4-0 by the Belgians. The game was decisive, as both teams won four of their six games, played one tie and lost one. Because of this, the head-to-head result was decisive.

Hoboken lost 9-3 to Roef! en played a 2-2 tie against Neunkirchen. Ban-Topa could have grabbed the tournament-win in the final game against HCAW, but that game ended in a 0-0 tie.

HCAW finished in sixth place and was unable to score a lot of runs on the first day of the tournament. They lost 1-0 to Žraloci, played a 0-0 tie against Roef! and narrowly lost 3-2 to Hoboken. On the second day, they simply won 5-1 vs. Hamburg, then lost 4-0 against Neunkirchen and the last game against Ban-Topa ended in the mentioned scoreless tie.

Roef! won on the first day with a 5-0 score vs. Hamburg, then played the 0-0 tie against HCAW. Hereafter, a 3-0 deficit against Hoboken was turned into a 9-3 victory. Next, Roef! scored three runs against Žraloci, which at that moment had not given up a run yet, mainly because of the strong performance by pitcher Veronika Pecková. The game ended with a 3-3 score. On Day 2, the team lost 1-0 in the last inning against Ban-Topa, then played an 1-1 tie against Neunkirchen.

(March 28-29)




Roef! vs. Hamburg Knights

Roef! opened the tournament with a 5-0 win against Hamburg Knights. Making her debut in the team was New Zealand-pitcher Jasmin Kaiaruna, who dominated in the game. The righthander struckout 10 batters and gave up only two basehits.

However, it was Hamburg that treatened to score the first run in the first inning. With two outs, Lisa Biesenack walked and stole second base, then moved to third base when Alexandra Stüwe singled. But the new hurler for Roef! then ended the inning with a strikeout. In the second inning, she gave up a lead-off single to Manuela Hintze, but from then on dominated in the remainder of the game. 'Jazzy' retired the next nine batters in a row, including the first eight with a strikeout!

Roef! opened the score with three runs in the first at bat. The bases got loaded when Wies Ligtvoet, Ilse van Kerkoerle and Eva van Knegsel all singled. With two outs, the first run was scored when Nathalie Hosten also singled. Griet De Schrijvere then followed with a double to bring in two more runners and make it 3-0.

The lead was increased to 5-0 in the second inning. Wies Ligtvoet led off with a bunt-single and stole second base. With one out, she scored on a double by Eva van Knegsel, who later scored herself on a grounder by Charlotte Haen.

Roef! stranded a runner on third base in the third inning, then got close to another run in the fourth. With one out, Charlotte Haen (who had reached on an error) moved on a single by Sophie Mollee, then tried to score on a single by Nathalie Hosten, but was thrown out at the plate.

Roef! - Hamburg Knights 5-0 (4 inn.)
RHE
Hamburg Knights (Germany)0000 -021
Roef!3200 -5100
(game stopped in bottom 4th with 2 outs, due to tournament time-rule)
pitcher Knightsinn.SOBBHRER
Leonie Dorendorf, L3.2411055
pitcher UVVinn.SOBBHRER
Jasmin Kaiaruna, W (1-0)51012--
Umpires: HP-Francine Grotenhoff (Neth.), 1B-Wout van der Horst (Neth.).
Scorer-Hannie Mulders (Roef!).
Time-0:00 hr.




HCAW vs. Roef!

HCAW and Roef! not only played a scoreless tie, basehits were also sparse, as only one was registered in this game.

The lone hit was hit by HCAW's Monique Melissant in the first inning. Roef! was held hitless by Ilona Marcelis and so, she threw a No-Hitter.

But it was Roef! that reached base the most of the two teams. Seven batters received a walk, but Roef! left five runners in scoring position, including the bases loaded in the fourth inning.

In the first inning, Wies Ligtvoet led off for Roef! with a walk and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Eva van Knegsel, but stranded. HCAW also got a runner in scoring position in its first at bat. With out, Monique Melissant hit her single and stole second base, then Ilona Marcelis walked, but two outs followed.

For HCAW, that was the only moment it got in scoring position, while Roef! got more opportunities to score a run. In the third at bat, Wies Ligtvoet again led off with a walk (and stole second base). With one out, Naftely Pietersz also walked, then the two runners got into scoring position on a grounder by Jasmin Kaiaruna, but then a strikeout ended the inning.

In the fourth inning, what would be the final at bat, Roef! got the bases loaded. With one out, Ellen Doossche walked. With two outs, Wies Ligtvoet (third time) and Eva van Knegsel also walked, but hereafter, Ilona Marcelis ended the inning and the game with a strikeout.

HCAW - Roef! 0-0 (4 inn.)
RHE
Roef!0000 -001
HCAW0000 -010
pitcher Roef!inn.SOBBHRER
Griet De Schrijvere4421--
pitcher HCAWinn.SOBBHRER
Ilona Marcelis497---
Ilona Marcelis throws a No-Hitter
Umpires: HP-Harm de Fonkert (Neth.), 1B-Benny Van Nuffel (Belgium).
Scorers-Hannie Mulders (Roef!), Charles van Amstel (HCAW).
Time-0:00 hr.




Žraloci Ledenice vs. HCAW

This game was a pitching-duel between Anouk Sassen (HCAW) and Veronika Pechková (Ledenice). The two dominated and it was the HCAW-pitcher that did slightly better, but nevertheless ended up empty-handed. Anouk Sassen struckout nine batters, threw a No-Hitter, but gave up the lone run of the game in the third inning. Only the first and the eighth Czech batter were able to reach base. Veronika Pechková struckout seven batters and saw HCAW leave two runners in scoring position.

In the first at bat, Wendy Bierman walked with one out, moved on a grounder by Laura van Essen, but stranded on second base.

In the third inning, Anne-Carlijn Huffermann led off with a single and later moved to third base, but also was left behind.

For Ledenice, lead-off hitter Michaela Pecková reached on an error in the first inning, advanced on a passed ball, but also stranded.

After Pecková had reached, Anouk Sassen struckout the next six batters. She then walked Michelle Regnerová in the third inning. She moved on a passed ball and went on to score the lone run on another passed ball. With another runner on third base, Sassen struckout three more batters, but the game then ended with two outs in the top of the fourth inning, as the tournament game time-limit was reached.

And so, two HCAW-pitchers had thrown back-to-back No-Hitters, but the team was still winless.

Žraloci Ledenice - HCAW 1-0 (3½ inn.)
RHE
HCAW0000 -011
Žraloci Ledenice (Czech Rep.)001X -100
(game stopped in top 4th with 2 outs, due to tournament time-rule)
pitcher HCAWinn.SOBBHRER
Anouk Sassen, L (1-2)392-1-
Anouk Sassen throws a No-Hitter
pitcher Ledeniceinn.SOBBHRER
Veronika Pechková, W3.2721--
Umpires: HP-Robin Stoevelaar (Neth.), 1B-Britt Nieland (Bel.).
Scorer-Charles van Amstel (HCAW).
Time-0:00 hr.




Roef! vs. Hoboken Pioneers

In this game, Roef! faced an early 3-0 deficit against Hoboken Pioneers, as the Belgian opponent rallied for three runs in its first at bat off of Janiska Franklin. Things went quickly, as the first three Hoboken-batters reached base, leading to the first run. Innes Goosen led off with a single, followed by a single by Sandy Verheyleweghen. The two runners advanced on a passed ball, then the lead-runner scored on a single by Celine Janssens. Hereafter, a strikeout followed, but then the next run was scored when Lesley Felix reached on an error. The bases got loaded when Gwendy De Jaegher was hit by a pitch and the third run was added when no out followed on a grounder by Joke Rottiers. But Janiska Franklin then finished strong by striking out the next two batters.

Roef! immediately was productive in its first at bat and rallied for seven runs to turn the game its way. Wies Ligtvoet led off with a single, stole second base and advanced on a grounder by Nathalie Hosten. Naftely Pietersz then walked and both runners scored when Charlotte Haen followed with a double. Moments later, Roef! got the bases loaded when Ellen Doossche walked and Sophie Mollee singled. Hereafter, the team took a 4-3 lead when Griet De Schrijvere also singled, bringing in two runners. With two outs, the next run was scored when Wies Ligtvoet reached on an error in her second at bat in this inning. The bases were re-loaded when Nathalie Hosten was hit by a pitch, then the seventh run was scored on a single by Naftely Pietersz. The inning ended with the bases still loaded.

Roef! added two more runs in the second inning. Sophie Mollee and Griet De Schrijvere led off with singles, then Gini Ketelaars reached on an error, resulting in a run. With one out, the bases were loaded when Nathalie Hosten again was hit by a pitch. With two outs, a single by Charlotte Haen made it 9-3 in favor of Roef!

Roef! - Hoboken Pioneers 9-3 (3 inn.)
RHE
Hoboken Pioneers (Belgium)300 -343
Roef!72X -981
(game stopped in top 3rd with 1 out, due to tournament time-rule)
pitchers Pioneersinn.SOBBHRER
Sandy Verheyleweghen, L2-2895
pitcher UVVinn.SOBBHRER
Janiska Franklin, W (1-0)2.13-432
Umpires: HP-Wout van der Horst (Neth.), 1B-Francine Grotenhoff (Neth.).
Scorer-Hannie Mulders (Roef!).
Time-0:00 hr.




Žraloci Ledenice vs. Roef!

In this game, Roef! trailed 3-0 after the first inning. But herafter, pitcher Marjolein Merkx not only held the Czech opponent scoreless, she also didn't allow another batter to reach base. In its first two innings, Roef! was productive off of pitcher Veronika Pechková, who had not given up a run yet earlier in the day. But now, Roef! scored three runs to tie the score at 3-3, what also was the final score.

In the first at bat, Ledenice scored three runs, which were all unearned. Veronika Čermáková led off with a single, then Michaela Pecková walked. The two advanced on a passed ball, but then a strikeout followed. Hereafter, no out was made on a grounder by Veronika Pechková, which led to the first run. Moments later, a passed ball accounted for the second run. With two outs, the third run was scored in a fielder's choice-situation.

Roef! got one run back in the home of the first inning. Wies Ligtvoet led off with a single, moved on a sacrifice bunt by Eva van Knegsel and a wild pitch, then scored on a 2-out single by Charlotte Haen. A single by Jasmin Kaiaruna followed, but two runners stranded.

Roef! came alongside in the second inning. Gini Ketelaars led off with a single, then Wies Ligtvoet singled. The first then scored when an error followed on a single by Eva van Knegsel. Naftely Pietersz then also connected for a single to bring in the tying run, but Roef! then left runners on second and third base.

In the third inning, Roef! left another runner on second base and so, the game ended in a tie.

Žraloci Ledenice - Roef! 3-3 (3 inn.)
RHE
Roef!021 -380
Žraloci Ledenice (Czech Rep.)300 -310
pitcher Roef!inn.SOBBHRER
Marjolein Merkx36113-
pitcher Ledeniceinn.SOBBHRER
Veronika Pecková34-832
Umpires: HP-Benny Van Nuffel (Bel.), 1B-Wout van der Horst (Neth.).
Scorer-Hannie Mulders (Roef!).
Time-0:00 hr.




Hoboken Pioneers vs. HCAW

In its next game, HCAW narrowly lost 3-2 to Hoboken Pioneers, which eventually would win the tournament.

HCAW took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but failed to add more runs, leaving the bases loaded. In the opening at bat, Kaylee Fontilus led off with a single and advanced on a wild pitch. With one out, she moved to third base on a single by Laura van Essen, then scored on a following single by Wendy Bierman. The bases got loaded when Anouk Sassen walked. With two outs, HCAW scored its next run when Sanne Helmig also walked, but the Bussum-team then left the bases loaded when the third out followed.

Hoboken got one run back in the bottom of the first inning. Innes Goosen led off with a single and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Clementine Dhooge. Hereafter, three walks followed that resulted in the run. But with the bases loaded, HCAW-pitcher Roos-Marijn Kramer struckout a batter, then retired the next batter after a comeback-grounder.

Hoboken then struck with two runs in the second inning. With one out, Innes Goosen walked and scored the tying run when Clementine DHooge doubled. The latter then scored the go-ahead run when an error was made with two outs on a grounder by Andee Lindgren, who had played several seasons in the Dutch big league for Sparks Haarlem and Twins.

For HCAW, Xanthe Fleurkens had led off the second inning with a walk, but was left at third base. In the third inning, Anouk Sassen led off with a single, moved on a wild pitch, but also was left behind.

Hoboken Pioneers - HCAW 3-2 (2½ inn.)
RHE
HCAW200 -251
Hoboken Pioneers (Belgium)12X -320
pitcher HCAWinn.SOBBHRER
Roos-Marijn Kramer, L (0-1)244232
pitcher Pioneersinn.SOBBHRER
Evelyne De Wolf, W353522
Umpires: HP-Britt Nieland (Bel.), 1B-Robin Stoevelaar (Neth.).
Scorer-Charles van Amstel (HCAW).
Time-0:00 hr.




HCAW vs. Neunkirchen Nightmares

HCAW began the second day of the tournament with a 4-0 shutout-loss against Neunkirchen Nightmares.

Neunkirchen left two runners in the first inning, then scored twice in the second at bat. HCAW-starter Roos-Marijn Kramer walked the lead-off hitter, then two outs followed. But a walk and two singles then gave the Nightmares a 2-0 lead.

In the next two innings, Kramer allowed only one batter to reach base.

Neunkirchen scored its next two runs in the not-completed top of the fifth inning. A single and error led to two runners, then three errors increased the German lead to 4-0.

HCAW got close to opening the score in the first inning. With two outs, Milot van Doesburg and Anouk Sassen walked, then Sanne Helmig singled. The lead runner tried to score, but she was eliminated at the plate. Sanne Helmig's basehit was to be the lone one for HCAW.

In the next three innings, only one more batter reached base for HCAW.

HCAW - Neunkirchen Nightmares 0-4 (4½ inn.)
RHE
Neunkirchen Nightmares (Germany)02002 -440
HCAW0000X -012
(game stopped in top 5th with 2 outs, due to tournament time-rule)
pitchers Nightmaresinn.SOBBHRER
.........., W4331--
pitchers HCAWinn.SOBBHRER
Roos-Marijn Kramer, L (0-2)474322
Anne-Carlijn Huffermann0.21-12-
Umpires: HP-Jac van Riel (Neth.), 1B-Robin Stoevelaar (Neth.).
Scorer-Charles van Amstel (HCAW).
Time-0:00 hr.




Ban-Topa Future Stars vs. Roef!

On Day 2, Ban-Topa Future Stars nipped Roef! 1-0, scoring the only run in the last at bat of this game.

For Roef!, Wies Ligtvoet led off in the opening at bat with a basehit, but then Ban-Topa turned a double play. After stranding a runner on first base in the second inning, Roef! got a runner in scoring position in the third. Lead-off hitter Ennia Ballardini was then hit by a pitch and stole second base, but was left on second base.

In the fourth inning, Naftely Pietersz led off with a single, but the defense of Ban-Topa then turned its second double play. Next batter Griet De Schrijvere was then hit by a pitch, but pitcher Shirley then closed with a strikeout.

New Zealand-hurler Jasmin Kaiaruna retired the side in the first inning. She walked the lead-off hitter in the second inning, but followed with three strikeouts.

In the third at bat, Jenny Kinburn singled with two outs and moved on a passed ball, but was left behind.

Ban-Topa then decided the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Shirley led off with a single, advanced on a passed ball, then reached third base on a bunt by Kelly. A following single by Zita then led to the lone run.

Ban-Topa Future Stars - Roef! 1-0 (4 inn.)
RHE
Roef!0000 -020
Ban-Topa Future Stars0001 -130
(game stopped in bottom 4th, 2 outs, due to tournament time-rule)
pitcher Roef!inn.SOBBHRER
Jasmin Kaiaruna, L (1-1)3.27131-
pitcher Ban-Topainn.SOBBHRER
Shirley, W (1-0)45-2--
Umpires: HP-Wout van der Horst (Neth.), 1B-Harm de Fonkert (Neth.).
Scorer-Hannie Mulders (Roef!).
Time-0:00 hr.




HCAW vs. Hamburg Knights

In its fifth game of the tournament, HCAW registered its first victory, a 5-1 win vs. Hamburg Knights.

HCAW took an 1-0 lead in the first at bat. Lead-off hitter Dervisa Mutic reached on an error, moved on a passed ball, advanced to third base on a grounder with one out by Laura van Essen, then scored when Ilona Marcelis reached on an error.

The Bussum-team then rallied for four runs in the second inning to take a comfortable 5-0 lead. All runs were scored with two outs. Anne-Carlijn Huffermann then walked and the bases got loaded when Dervisa Mutic singled and Monique Melissant was hit by a pitch. Laura van Essen then singled to bring in a run and the bases wre cleared when Ilona Marcelis followed with a 3-run double.

HCAW was unable to reach base in the next two innings, but had taken a decisive lead.

Anouk Sassen started for HCAW and had a strong outing. She struckout all seven batters she faced, then was relieved by Sanne Helmig with one out in the third inning. But the new pitcher also began with a strikeout, then a flyout ended the inning.

Hamburg scored its lone run in the fourth inning thanks to two singles and a walk.

HCAW - Hamburg Knights 5-1 (4 inn.)
RHE
Hamburg Knights (Germany)0001 -120
HCAW1400 -530
pitcher Knightsinn.SOBBHRER
.........., L471354
pitchers HCAWinn.SOBBHRER
Anouk Sassen, W (2-2)2.17----
Sanne Helmig1.221211
Umpires: HP-Robin Stoevelaar (Neth.), 1B-Jac van Riel (Neth.).
Scorer-Charles van Amstel (HCAW).
Time-0:00 hr.




Roef! vs. Neunkirchen Nightmares

Roef! trailed 1-0 after the first inning against Neunkirchen Nightmares, came alongside in the second at bat and went on finish the game with its third tie of the tournament.

The German opponent opened the score in the first inning. Nancy Parpart led off with a walk and stole second base. With one out, she scored when a throwing error followed on a grounder by Maaike Ogink. The latter was caught stealing, but Neunkirchen got two more baserunners via a walk for Arlene Quinn and a single by Liz Lucas, but they were left behind.

In the second inning, a basehit and walk led to two more German runners, but hereafter, pitcher Marjolein Merkx retired seven batters in a row, including four strikeouts.

For Roef!, Eva van Knegsel reached on an error with one out in the first inning and Charlotte Haen singled, but a double play ended the inning.

Roef! then came alongside in the second inning. Ellen Doossche and Nathalie Hosten led off with singles. Hereafter, a line drive by Griet De Schrijvere ended in a double play. Next, a single by Gini Ketelaars brought Doossche to third base and she scored the tying run when Wies Ligtvoet reached on an error. But Roef! then stranded two runners in scoring position.

Roef! reached base again in the third and fourth inning, but was unable to add another run and so, the game ended in another tie.

Roef! - Neunkirchen Nightmares 1-1 (4 inn.)
RHE
Neunkirchen Nightmares (Germany)1000 -123
Roef!0100 -161
pitcher Nightmaresinn.SOBBHRER
Hannah Grundmann4--61-
pitcher Roef!inn.SOBBHRER
Marjolein Merkx463211
Umpires: HP-Benny Van Nuffel (Bel.), 1B-Lucien Hekker (Neth.).
Scorer-Hannie Mulders (Roef!).
Time-0:00 hr.




HCAW vs. Ban-Topa Future Stars

In the last game of the tournament, Ban-Topa Future Stars had a chance of winning the event, but then was to be victorious against HCAW. The team from Amsterdam got two runners in scoring position in this game off of Ilona Marcelis, but was unable to score. Ban-Topa registered only one basehit in this game, which was hit by Kelly with one out in the fourth inning.

HCAW got closer to a run, as it left five runners in scoring position, including the bases loaded in the fourth and final inning.

In the first inning, with two outs, Ilona Marcelis (fielder's choice) and Anouk Sassen (walk) were on first and second base, but they were left behind.

In the third at bat, Dervisa Mutic walked with one out, stole second base and advanced on a grounder by Monique Melissant, but then also stranded.

The biggest scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Anouk Sassen led off with a walk and the bases got loaded when Milot van Doesburg and Fleur van Haagen (bunt) both singled. The defense of Ban-Topa was then able to turn a double play after Lindsay Gase flied out. The bases then got loaded again via a fielder's choice, but Ban-Topa avoided a loss when its pitcher ended the game with a strikeout.

HCAW - Ban-Topa Future Stars 0-0 (4 inn.)
RHE
Ban-Topa Future Stars0000 -010
HCAW0000 -031
pitcher Ban-Topainn.SOBBHRER
..........4533--
pitcher HCAWinn.SOBBHRER
Ilona Marcelis45-1--
Umpires: HP-Wout van der Horst (Neth.), 1B-Lucien Hekker (Neth.).
Scorer-Charles van Amstel (HCAW).
Time-0:00 hr.



...Left to right: Charlotte Haen, Ennia Bellardini, Naftely Pietersz (and Hoboken-catcher Joke Rottiers) and Ilse van Kerkoerle...
...Left to right: Wies Ligtvoet, Marjolein Merkx, Sophie Mollee and Naftely Pietersz...
...Left to right: Griet De Schrijvere, Nathalie Hosten and Jasmin Kaiaruna...

...Sophie Mollee hitting for Roef! vs. Ban-Topa...

...The team of Roef! between innings...
(© All Photos: Rein Merkx)

...Tournament-winner Hoboken Pioneers...
(© Photo: Jeroen van de Wiel)



...The team of Žraloci Ledenice visited...
...Amsterdam the day before the tournament...
(© Photo: Žraloci Ledenice)



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