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(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photos by Kirt Whiteside & SDTV/Marco Stoovelaar) Neptunus wins Indoor Cup; Four new Hall of Famers inducted Nederlands SCHIEDAM (Neth.) - The 20th edition of The Cup - International Indoor Fastpitch Softball Tournament in Schiedam was won on Sunday (January 19) by Neptunus, which shutout Olympia Haarlem 4-0 in the all-deciding Final. During the Opening Ceremony of the 3-day event on Friday-evening, tournament-founder Kirt Whiteside introduced four new Hall of Famers, who were officially inducted into the tournament's Hall of Fame. Initially, the international softball-tournament was organized in the French city of Lyon. But in 2001, the event transfered to Schiedam, where it has been held annually since in the Margiet Hall and the Groenoord Hall. In the 20th edition in the Netherlands, sixteen teams from four countries played 48 games in three days to crown this year's winner. The tournament went underway on Friday-evening in the Margriet Hall, where two of the three playing fields are located. The third field in the Groenoord Hall was in use in the weekend. On Friday, four American teams played the opening games of the event. On Field #1, Arsenal Velocity shutout Velocity United 4-0. On the other side of the wall, on Field #2, Impact United won 3-1 against Avengers Impact. After the two first games, it was time for the official Opening Ceremony. The participating teams were introduced and Cobus Oosting did an outstanding job singing live the National Anthems of the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Hereafter, to celebrate the 20th edition of the Indoor Cup, there was an opening act for the first time, performed by singers Bodine & Noah. In 2016, Bodine performed live in the final of the popular TV-show The Voice Kids and was part of the team that was coached by Dutch singer Marco Borsato. Since then, Bodine has performed regularly, accompanied by Noah on guitar. It was then time for Kirt Whiteside to introduce four new members of the Hall of Fame that is part of the tournament and honors individuals for their ingoing involvement in and many contributions to the sport of softball in the Netherlands. Ben Goorts, Bart van Knegsel, Marco Stoovelaar and Jeroen van de Wiel were officially inducted into the Hall of Fame. Whiteside welcomed the four as new members and handed them their Hall of Fame-jacket. Unfortunately, Van Knegsel and Stoovelaar were unable to attend the ceremony. (January 19) Complete listing with Schedule & Scores

...Left: Cobus Oosting sings the National Anthems of the four participating countries... ...Right: Bodine & Noah perform during the Opening Ceremony... (© Photos: SDTV / Marco Stoovelaar) ...Left: Kirt Whiteside (right), with Public Address Announcer Huub Nelissen, introduces the four new Hall of Fame-members... ...Right: Ben Goorts and Jeroen van de Wiel with their Hall of Fame-jacket... ...Also inducted were Bart van Knegsel and Marco Stoovelaar, but they were unable to attend the Ceremony... (© Photos: SDTV / Marco Stoovelaar) ...INDIVIDUAL AWARDS 20th INDOOR CUP... ...Left to right: Eva Voortman (Neptunus, Most Valuable Player), Alyson Spinas (Olympia Haarlem, Best Pitcher)... ...and Cindy van der Zanden (Roef!, Best Hitter)... ...The Awards are handed out by Mariëlle Vleugels on behalf of the Indoor Cup-organizartion... (© Photos: Kirt Whiteside)

First Round In the First Round, the 16 participating teams played in four pools of four teams each. Neptunus remained unbeaten in Pool A, but secured first place in its final game against Arsenal United (USA). Both teams won their first two games before facing each other on Saturday-afternoon. In that game, Arsenal broke an 1-1 tie by scoring a run in the third inning when Sasha Mitchell led off with a single and later scored on an error. Trailing 2-1, Neptunus scored twice in the top of the fourth inning. Lisa Hoeverts and Eva Voortman led off with singles, then the bases got loaded when Lorijn Buise walked. Hereafter, Hoeverts scored the tying run on a force play-grounder by Reganied Franka. Moments later, Voortman scored the go-ahead run in a double-steal situation. Neptunus was outhit 5-3 in this game. Neptunus-starter Kirsten Fischer gave up five hits in three innings, then Eva Voortman threw two hitless innings and struckout six batters to become the winning pitcher. On Friday-evening, Neptunus had opened the event with a win of only 1-0 against Euro Stars. The lone run was then scored in the fourth inning on a grounder by Maret Stuij. In that game, Eva Voortman (3 innings) and Annelieke Swinkels (1 1/3 inn.) threw a combined No-Hitter. Neptunus shutout Velocity United (USA) 5-0 in its second game on Saturday-morning. After last season, Eva Voortman transfered to Neptunus from Olympia Haarlem. ...Eva Voortman pitching for Neptunus in its opening game... (© Photo: SDTV / Marco Stoovelaar) In Pool B, Roef! took first place in its final game against, nipping Impact United, 1-0. Roef! started with two big shutouts against Joudrs Praha (Czech Republic) and Avengers United (USA), 6-0 and 12-0 respectively. Impact was 1-1 in its first two games, but after the game between Joudrs and Avengers resulted in a tie, the team could have end up in first place by winning against Roef! based on the head-to-head result. But it was Roef! that won the game. Roef! scored the lone run in the top of the third inning. Cindy van der Zanden then led off with a double and scored on an one-grounder by Sterre den Duijn. As pitcher, Den Duijn threw a 5-inning No-Hitter, striking out 11 batters. She missed a Perfect Game, as she allowed one batter to reach base with a walk in the fourth inning. In Pool C, first place also was decided in the final game. Olympia Haarlem won 2-0 in its first game against Quick Amersfoort, then won big against Czech U18 (Czech Rep.), 10-1. Chaos United (USA) opened with an 1-1 tie against the Czechs, then shutout Quick 4-0. However, a win in its final game against Olympia gave Chaos first place. The American team scored the lone run in the top of the first inning. Elisa Tucker then led off with a double and went on to score on two errors off of pitcher Alyson Spinas, who hereafter struckout the next three batters. The righthander struckout 12 batters and gave up three basehits. Olympia was limited to only two basehits and was held scoreless by Casey Kemp and Anneliese Probreck. In Pool D, the deciding game was the one between The Mix (Great Britain) and Terrasvogels on Saturday-morning, which was the first game for both teams in the tournament. The game ended in a 2-2 tie. Hereafter, the British team won 4-0 vs. Destroyers United (USA) and 9-0 vs. Red Lions. Terrasvogels also recorded two shutouts and outscored Red Lions 4-0 and Destroyers 5-0. In the opening game, Terrasvogels had taken a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Lead-off hitter Katharina Szalay was hit by a pitch, then Yindi Beekveldt walked. Both went on to score on an error. The Mix came alongside in the fourth inning. Anna-Bè Bartels and Stephanie Pearce then respectively scored on an one-out single by Laura Thompson and a 2-out double by Barbara Killer. Bartels was a Dutch guest-player in the team, as she is a player of DSS, while Pearce last season played for Olympia Haarlem, but she returned to England. According to the tournament-rules with a tie between two teams, the ranking is decided by run-difference in all games played, which was in favor of The Mix.

Second Round In the Second Round, four new pools were created. All teams that ended in first place formed one pool and so on. With all teams remaining in contention, the games in this round would set up the combinations in the First Final Round. Roef! handed Neptunus its first loss by winning 2-0. The team scored both runs in the third inning. With two outs, Kim Donkers and Cindy van der Zanden both singled and then scored on a double by Isa Los. The Mix shutout Chaos United 3-0 in the other game between pool-winners. The British team scored its runs in the fourth inning and all were scored on an error. Chaos scored a run in the top of the fifth inning, but that was erased from the final score, as it was scored in a non-complete inning when the game ended after 50 minutes. In the games played by the second-placed teams, Olympia Haarlem shutout Terrasvogels, 3-0. Olympia opened the score in the first inning when Machteld Rector led off with a double, stole third base and scored on a single by Corinne Ammerlaan. The second run was added in the third inning. Brenda Beers then led off with a walk and later scored on a passed ball. In the fourth, Julia van der Meer walked and scored the third run on a grounder by Ammerlaan. The game between Arsenal United and Joudrs Praha remained scoreless.

Final Round (Elimination Round) In the 8-game Elimination Round, the eight winners moved on to the Quarter Finals, while the losing teams were eliminated. Czech U18, Terrasvogels, Joudrs Praha, Roef!, Neptunus, Quick Amersfoort, Chaos United and Olympia Haarlem all advanced to the Quarter Finals. With that, only one of the six American teams qualified, while five teams from the Netherlands and two from the Czech Republic also went to the next round. The Czech teams advanced with small victories. Czech U18 won 6-4 vs. The Mix, breaking a 4-4 tie in the third inning. Joudrs Praha won 3-1 against Euro Stars. Roef! also recorded a small victory, winning 2-0 against Destroyers United. The runs were both scored in the first inning on a grounder by Cindy van der Zanden and a double by Sophie Verdaasdonk. Terrasvogels, Neptunus Quick Amersfoort, Chaos United and Olympia Haarlem recorded more comfortable wins. ...Lizzie Clarijs hits an RBI-double for Terrasvogels... (© Photo: SDTV / Marco Stoovelaar) Terrasvogels shutout Red Lions 6-0 and scored all runs in the first at bat on five basehits, including runscoring doubles by Lizzie Clarijs and Ella Krommendijk and a runscoring single by Yindi Beekveldt. Another run was scored on a basesloaded walk for Kelsy Pieneman and the other two on errors. Neptunus won 6-1 vs. Velocity United. Four runs were scored in the first inning, thanks to an RBI-single by Ilse van de Wouw, a 2-run double by Renske Tellekamp and a wild pitch. Two runs were added in the sixth on a double by Lorijn Buise. Quick Amersfoort scored in four consecutive innings against Arsenal United and won 6-2. Three runs were scored in the first inning on a single by Nicky Uytendaal, a grounder by Lizzy Uytendaal and an error. In each of the next three innings, a run was added each time. In the second in a fielder's choice-situation, in the third on a single by Angelica Bomba and in the fourth on a grounder by Vera de Boer. Trailing 6-0, Arsenal then scored its two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a 2-out single by Mattie Young. Chaos United recorded a big 10-0 shutout against Avengers United on seven basehits. Leading 1-0, Chaos rallied for nine runs in the bottom of the second inning. The first three runs were then scored on basesloaded walks for Clarie Katz, Mara Kachur and Ashley Shawyer. Hereafter, the lead was lifted thanks to a single by Elisa Tucker and doubles by Casey Kemp and Kachur. Olympia Haarlem won 7-3 against Impact United, but led only 5-3 halfway the fourth inning. Olympia opened the score with three runs in the first inning on a single by Corinne Ammerlaan, an error and a grounder by Jessie van Aalst. The team added a run in the second inning on a grounder by Machteld Rector and made it a 5-0 score in the third on a grounder by Van Aalst. Impact came back by scoring three runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Olympia-defense then committed two errors, while Maddie Quinn added a runscoring single. In the bottom of the fourth, Olympia took more distance by scoring two runs. That was done on a single by Machteld Rector, who later stole home plate in a double-steal situation.

Quarter Finals Terrasvogels vs. Czech U18 Terrasvogels advanced to the Semi-Final thanks to another productive first at bat en route to a 7-1 win. Trailing 1-0, the team rallied for five runs to decide the game. With Katharina Szalay (hit by pitch) and Yindi Beekvelt (walk) on base, Lizzie Clarijs delivered a ground-rule double to bring in the tying run. A basesloaded walk for Kelsy Pieneman then gave Terrasvogels the lead. A ground-rule double by Jessica Waasdorp and error expanded the lead to 5-1. Two runs were added in the fourth inning. Yindi Beekveldt led off with a walk, advanced on a double by Lizzie Clarijs, then scored on a wild pitch. Moments later, Clarijs scored on an error. Margot van Eijl (4 innings) and Roos-Marijn Kramer (2/3 inn.) threw a combined No-Hitter for Terrasvogels. ...Alyson Spinas struckout 14 batters for Olympia Haarlem... (© Photo: SDTV / Marco Stoovelaar) Olympia Haarlem vs. Chaos United Olympia Haarlem collected 11 basehits and won 8-0 against Chaos United to reach the Semi-Final. Machteld Rector and Brenda Beers both had three hits for Olympia. The latter also scored three runs. In the first inning, a double-steal and a single by Anna Prins gave Olympia an early 2-0 lead. A 3-run rally followed in the second at bat, thanks to a triple by Machteld Rector, a double by Brenda Beers and a wild pitch. Three more runs were added in the third inning on a single by Beers and a 2-out, 2-run double by Jessie van Aalst. Alyson Spinas went the distance for Olympia Haarlem. The American righthander struckout 14 batters and gave up only one basehit. She struckout four batters in one inning twice, as in the second and fourth inning, a batter struckout, but reached base. Casey Kemp accounted for the lone Chaos-basehit in the third inning. Roef! vs. Joudrs Praha Roef! recorded a 3-0 shutout to reach the final-four. The team broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning. Maudy Bezems led off with a single, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Kim Donkers and scored on a double by Cindy van der Zanden. Roef! added a run in the fourth when Eva Versloot singled with one out and scored on a single by Kim Donkers. Roef! scored its third run in the fifth on back-to-back doubles by Sophie Verdaasdonk and Sterre den Duijn. Pitchers Danielle ten Donkelaar (4 innings) and Marjolein Merkx (1 inn.) gave up only two basehits to the Czech opponent. Neptunus vs. Quick Amersfoort Neptunus won 2-0 and decided its game against Quick Amersfoort in the fourth inning, scoring both runs with two outs. Kirsten Fischer and Eva Voortman then both singled and respectively scored when next batters Lisa Hoeverts and Ilse van de Wouw also singled. Eva Voortman (4 2/3 inn.) and Annelieke Swinkels (1/3 inn.) combined on a No-Hitter. Voortman struckout 12 of the 15 batters she faced (walking one), Swinkels struckout one batter. Neptunus collected six basehits off of Richelle van Gennip, who struckout nine batters.

Semi-Finals Olympia Haarlem vs. Roef! Olympia Haarlem reached the Final by winning 3-1 against defending tournament-winner Roef! in the Semi-Final. Last season, the two teams faced each other in the Holland Series with Roef! winning the best-of-three, 2-1, to win the Dutch Championship-title for the first time in club-history. Today, Olympia Haarlem was the winning team. Roef! opened the score in the first inning on a sacrifice bunt by Isa Los, but Olympia came alongside in the second at bat via a single by Rachel van Veen. After Olympia-pitcher Ilona Andringa struckout the side in the bottom of the second inning, the team took the lead by scoring twice in the third at bat. With one out, Jessie van Aalst walked and Corinne Ammerlaan singled, then both scored on a double by Anna Prins. Roef! stranded three runners in its third at bat, then Olympia added an insurance-run in the fourth inning on a passed ball. As this run was scored in an incomplete inning, it wasn't included in the final score. Andringa gave up only three basehits and struckout five batters. Roef! finished in third place in the overall standings. Roef! had won the tournament in the past three years. Neptunus vs. Terrasvogels This game was decided via the tie-break rule and was won by Neptunus. After four scoreless innings, Neptunus scored the lone run in the top of the fifth inning. Neptunus got a chance to open the score in the top of the first inning, but stranded runners on second and third base. In the bottom of the first inning, Terrasvogels got two baserunners, but the at bat ended with a double play. In the second inning, Kelsy Pieneman walked with one out for Terrasvogels, but stranded on second base. Neptunus got its next runner in scoring position in the fourth inning when Anouk van den Heuvel led off with a double and stole third base. But pitcher Roos-Marijn Kramer struckout the next three batters. In the top of the fifth, Neptunus' tie-break runner Reganied Franka was tagged out on an one-out grounder by Eva Voortman, who moved into scoring position during this play. With first base open, Judith Buschman was walked intentionally, then Voortman scored when Ilse van de Wouw reached on an error. With Masha Meloni as tie-break runner on second base, Terrasvogels was unable to come alongside in its fifth at bat. In the overall standings, Terrasvogels finished in fourth place.

Final Roef! vs. Olympia Haarlem In the Final, Neptunus outhit Olympia Haarlem 10-3 and recorded a 4-0 victory to win the Indoor Cup for the first time. However, the first four innings of the 7-inning game (tournament-rule) remained scoreless. Olympia failed to open the score in the bottom of the first inning off of starter Lisa Hoeverts. Brenda Beers singled with one out and with two outs, Anna Prins and Jessie van Aalst both walked. But three runners were left behind. Neptunus then stranded two runners in the top of the second inning. Hereafter, the Neptunus-defense turned an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the third inning. ...Pitcher Eva Voortman, Catcher Tanisha van Krevel... ...and 3B Anouk van den Heuvel celebrate the win... ...after Van Krevel makes the final out... ...At left, HP Umpire Judy Cole makes the out-call... (© Photo: SDTV / Marco Stoovelaar) Neptunus got a scoring opportunity in the top of the fourth. With one out, Lisa Hoeverts doubled, then her pinch-runner Annelieke Swinkels advanced to third base on a single by Reganied Franka. But the two were left behind when outfielder Amber Krijgsman caught an inning-ending line drive by Eva Voortman. Neptunus then opened the score in the top of the fifth off of reliever Alyson Spinas, who had taken over from starter Ilona Andringa. Judith Buschman led off with a single and later scored on a 2-out comeback-grounder by Lisa Hoeverts. Now leading 1-0, Eva Voortman took over the pitching for Neptunus and to throw against her former team. The lefthander played for Olympia Haarlem since 2014, but decided to transfer to Silver League-team Neptunus after last season. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Olympia came close to scoring the tying run off of Voortman. With one out, Machteld Rector reached on an error after a colission at first base with 1B-player Ilse van de Wouw. Moments later, Rector stole second base, which led to another colission, this time with 2B-player Minke Blok. With two outs, Rector was unable to continue, but Olympia Haarlem had no additional players left over to replace her as a pinch-runner. Initially, it appeared that Marielle Vleugels, who is a member of the organizing staff of the tournament, would be inserted. She plays for Olympia Haarlem, but not during this tournament, due to her duties in the staff. As this was an injury-situation, after some discussions, it was then agreed by both coaches and the umpiring crew that Olympia was allowed to re-enter starting pitcher Ilona Andringa in a different spot in the batting order. She replaced Rector as pinch-runner, but stranded on third base. Andringa then stayed in the game and played in the outfield. Neptunus added a run run in the sixth when Minke Blok led off with a single. After having advanced to third base on a wild pitch, she scored on a grounder by Eva Voortman. In the bottom of the sixth, Eva Voortman struckout the side, then Neptunus scored two more runs in the top of the seventh. Ilse van de Wouw led off with a double and Anouk van den Heuvel singled. An error on a grounder by Tanisha van Krevel and a single by Minke Blok then enabled the two runners to score and lift the lead to 4-0. Olympia was retired in order in the bottom of the seventh and it was catcher Tanisha van Krevel who caught a pop-fly for the final out.

...Judith Buschman scores the first run for Neptunus on a grounder by Lisa Hoeverts... (© Photo: SDTV / Marco Stoovelaar) ...Minke Blok scores the second run on a close-play grounder by Eva Voortman... (© Photo: SDTV / Marco Stoovelaar) ...The players and coaches of Neptunus receive their first place-medals during the Closing Ceremony... (© Photo: SDTV / Marco Stoovelaar)

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