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(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photos by WBSC Game Media) Netherlands eliminated after two more losses in World Cup Nederlands LIMA (Peru) - The Netherlands Under-18 Team played two games on Day 5 of the WBSC Under-18 Women's Softball World Cup. On Friday (December 10), the Orange Team first played against Puerto Rico, then met Mexico later in the afternoon. In the first game, the Netherlands briefly led against Puerto Rico, but eventually lost 10-4. With that loss, the Netherlands was officially eliminated for the Bronze Medal-game. The only chance for the Netherlands to reach the top-four was to win its remaining three games, while at the same time, it also was dependable on the results of the other teams. In its second game today against Mexico, the Netherlands had a fine outing, but neverthess ended up short again, losing 3-0. In the afternoon, Chinese Taipei won only 1-0 against the Czech Republic. With this win, not only Chinese Taipei clinced a spot in the Final, but it also meant that defending champion USA had reached the all-deciding game on Sunday. Besides the Netherlands, Colombia and Peru were also eliminated for the Bronze Medal-game. Although Puerto Rico and the Czech Republic are currently in third and fourth place, Mexico is also still in the race for one of these spots by winning twice today. On Saturday, the final day of the round-robin, these three teams can end up in a tie. Puerto Rico and the Czechs then face each other and the outcome will be decisive for the final ranking. The Netherlands opened the event on Monday with a surprise 3-1 loss against host Peru, then lost 11-5 on Tuesday against Chinese Taipei. On Wednesday, the Netherlands was nipped 2-1 by the Czech Republic. The Orange Team then was shutout 10-0 by the USA on Thursday in what was a Perfect Game. On Saturday, the Netherlands closes the round-robin against Colombia, which also will be the team's final game. On Sunday, the teams that finish in third and fourth place will play for the Bronze Medal, to be followed by the all-deciding Championship Final. (December 10) Other scores Day 5: Mexico vs. Colombia 7-0 (4½ inn.); Chinese Taipei vs. Czech Republic 1-0; Peru vs. USA 0-13 (5 inn.). Related Articles: Netherlands in fourth World Cup-game no-hit and shutout by USA. (December 9) Netherlands also empty-handed against Czechs. (December 8) Netherlands plays well, but ends up short vs. Chinese Taipei. (December 7) Netherlands opens U18 World Cup with surprise loss. (December 6)

Netherlands vs. Puerto Rico In its first game today, the Netherlands briefly led against Puerto Rico, but the island-team then turned the game around with a 5-run rally in the third inning. Puerto Rico got on base quickly and also scored quickly in the top of the first inning off of Dutch starter Nienke Weis. The righthander walked the first two batters, Aminah Vega and Tatianna Román, but the latter was then forced out on a grounder by Esperanza Coe. With runners at the corners and one out, Janelle Martínez delivered a sacrifice fly and Vega scored. Moments later, the inning ended when Coe's pinch-runner Brielle Rosario was caught stealing. In the second inning, Weis retired the side, striking out two batters. The Orange-offense was retried in order in its first at bat, but then scored two unearned runs with two outs in the second inning. Lead-off hitter Sietske Drijvers reached on an error and with one out, Julia Kwakernaak singled. Like Puerto Rico, the Netherlands then got runners on first and third base after Kwakernaak was forced out at second base on a grounder by Michelle Schuur. Both Drijvers and Schuur then scored when next batter Laura Schouten drilled the ball into leftfield for a single. Puerto Rican-starter Esperanza Coe then closed with a strikeout, but the Netherlands led 2-1. Unfortunately, the lead was shortlived, as Puerto Rico answered with a 5-run rally in the top of the third inning, in which all runs were scored with two outs. With one out and Samantha Del Hoyo (fielder's choice) on first base, Aminah Vega again walked. Another force play-grounder followed, hit by Tatianna Román, resulting in Del Hoyo being eliminated at third base for the second out in the at bat. However, Vega and Román then both scored when Esperanza Coe followed with a double. That not only led to a Puerto Rican lead, but also a pitching change. Lauren Heijnsdijk took over, but Puerto Rico kept on adding more runs, which were all unearned, as two errors were made. Janelle Martínez, the first batter Heijnsdijk faced, reached on an error, then a drive by Kairi Rodríguez also ended in an error, but also accounted for a run. Hereafter, Martínez scored on a wild pitch and Rodríguez scored on a double by Ana Román. A grounder ended the long at bat, but the Netherlands now trailed 6-2. The Netherlands also scored again in its third at bat. With one out, Reganied Franka reached on a bunt-single and scored on a following double by Tenley Boersma. Hereafter, Puerto Rico also made a pitching change and Brianna Roberts took over. She retired the next two batters, but the Orange Team had narrowed the deficit to 6-3. Puerto Rico immediately took more distance in the top of the fourth inning. Kathyria García and Samantha Del Hoyo opened with singles, which led to the next Orange pitching-change. Lisa Brink took over, but she got the bases loaded when she walked Aminah Vega. García then scored on a sacrifice fly by Tatianna Román. After Vega had been forced out at third base on a grounder by Esperanza Coe, Janelle Martínez delivered a 2-out, RBI-single. And that lifted the Puerto Rican lead to 8-3. The Orange Team reached base in its third consecutive at bat in the bottom of the fourth when Julia Kwakernaak led off with a single. She moved into scoring position via a passed ball, but the next two batters were retired. With two outs, Yarah Zuiver was hit by a pitch. A long at bat by Sanne van der Putten followed, as pitcher Brianna Roberts needed nine pitches (four foulballs) to strike her out and end the at bat. After the Netherlands had left runners behind on first and second base, Puerto Rico added another run in the top of the fifth. Pinch-hitter Sydney Shimkus led off with a single and scored on an one-out, pinch-hit double by Sophia Mendoza Torres to make it a 9-3 score. In the bottom of the fifth inning, off of new pitcher Macey Cintrón, the Orange Team got its lead-off hitter on base for the third time, as Reganied Franka led off with a single, but she was caught stealing moments later. With two outs, the Netherlands also scored another run. Sietske Drijvers doubled and scored on a following single by Renske Tellekamp, who then stranded on first base. After having scored eight runs in the previous three at bats, Puerto Rico was retired in order in the top of the sixth by reliever Lisa Brink. On the other hand, the Orange-offense was also retired in order for the first time since the first inning. In the top of the seventh, Puerto Rico loaded the bases quickly again, as Brianna Roberts, Sydney Shimkus and pinch-hitter Elyse Marcano all singled. But only one of them scored. First, the bases remained loaded after centerfielder Michelle Schuur caught a line drive by Kathyria García. Hereafter, Roberts scored on a sacrifice fly by Samantha Del Hoyo, but the other two runners were left behind on second and third base. In the bottom of the seventh, with Puerto Rico now leading 10-4, reliever Macey Cintrón walked Tenley Boersma with two outs, but a pop-fly then ended the inning and the game.

...Left: Short stop Sanne van der Putten tags out pinch-runner Brielle Rosario (caught stealing) in the 1st inning... ...2B Reganied Franka, 2B Umpire Gabriela Elizabeth Jimenez and RF Yarah Zuiver follow the play... ...Right: Head Coach Saskia Kosterink high-fives the players after a fine inning... (© Both Photos: WBSC Game Media)

Netherlands - Puerto Rico 4-10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Puerto Rico 1 0 5 2 1 0 1 - 10 10 1 Netherlands 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 - 4 8 2 pitchers Puerto Rico inn. SO BB H R ER Kairi Rodríguez - (*) - - - - - Esperanza Coe 2.1 2 - 4 3 1 Brianna Roberts 1.2 3 - 1 - - Macey Cintrón, W (1-0) 3 - 1 3 1 1 (*) - Rodríguez was listed as starting pitcher, but was replaced by Coe when the bottom of the first inning began (Cintrón credited with the win based on Rule 9.17 b) pitchers Netherlands inn. SO BB H R ER Nienke Weis, L (0-1) 2.2 2 4 1 4 3 Lauren Heijnsdijk 0.1 (*) - - 3 4 2 Lisa Brink 4 - 1 6 2 2 (*) - Heijnsdijk pitched to two batters in the fourth inning Box Score Play-by-Play Umpires: HP-Miguel Santoya (Colombia), 1B-Felipe Arteaga (Colombia), 2B-Gabriela Elizabeth Jimenez (Argentina), 3B-Abel Chapa (Mexico). Clock Operator-Santos Vazquez (Puerto Rico). Official Scorers-Janet Wiens (Canada), Denis Kohatsu (Peru), Juan Cubillo (Nicaragua). Technical Commissioners-Roberto Perez-Leon (Canada), Daniela Osaki (Peru). Starting Time-12:00 PM. Time Played-2:00 hrs. Site-Field #2, Complejo Deportivo Villa María del Triunfo, Lima (Peru). Game Notes: Under-18 World Cup Softball Women 2021. Weather conditions at game time: Partly cloudy, 22° C (71,6° F); wind direction south-southwest; wind speed 18 kmh (11,2 mph); wind force 2 Bft; humidity 68%.

Netherlands vs. Mexico After completion of the first game, the players of the Netherlands Team had to pack their things and moved from Field 2 to Field 1 of the Complejo Deportivo Villa María del Triunfo. That was a short walk, as Field 2 is located behind leftfield of Field 1, where first the game between Chinese Taipei and the Czech Republic was played. In the meantime, the players, coaches and staff of the Orange Team could do some relaxing and eat somewhat, before starting the preparations for their second game today. Netherlands played a good game against Mexico, but nevertheless ended up short again, losing 3-0. Mexico also played a double-header today. Earlier, Mexico also recorded a shutout against Colombia, winning 7-0 in 4½ inning. With the double victory, Mexico remains in the race for the Bronze Medal-game. Mexico opened the score in the top of the first inning after a somewhat rare coaching decision when an early pinch-hitter was inserted. Orange-starter Esmee Ames had another fine outing and threw her second complete, 7-inning game after also having pitched in relief in two earlier games. The righthander gave up a lead-off single to Mariangel Barbosa, who moved into scoring position via a passed ball, then advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Yanina Treviño. With Barbosa on third base and one out, designated player Leeslye Valdez was to be the next batter. However, instead Leanna Marie García Guevara, Mexico's starting pitcher, who was listed tenth in the line-up as the flex-player, was inserted as pinch-hitter for Valdez. García drove the ball into deep centerfield, where Michelle Schuur saw it sail over her head in front of the fence. García barely missed a homerun, as the ball stayed in the field and so, she had to settle for an RBI-double. Ames retired the next two batters (one strikeout), but Mexico had taken an early lead. The righthander then retired the side in the second inning and again closed with a strikeout. A pinch-hitter as described as above would not have been possible in baseball, as a starting designated hitter must come to bat at least once. The Netherlands was retired in order in its first at bat, then got its first baserunner in the second inning off of García. Sietske Drijvers led off with a single off of the lefthander and moved to second base on a grounder by Julia Kwakernaak, but then was left behind. The hit by Drijvers was to be the lone Orange-basehit in this game. In the top of the third inning, Esmee Ames had another fine inning. After she had struckout the first batter, she gave up singles to Mariangel Barbosa (bunt) and Yanina Treviño. This time, Ames struckout her pitching-collegue García, who had stayed in the batting order. A grounder then ended the Mexican at bat. In the bottom of the third inning, the Orange Team got its lead-off batter on base again, as Michelle Schuur was hit by a pitch. An attempt to move her into scoring position initially was successful, but also led to a double play. Schuur first moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Else-Fieke de Boer, but then was eliminated when she continued running and also tried to advance to third base. With the bases now empty and two outs, next batter Sanne van der Putten attempted to reach on a bunt-single, but was eliminated at first base. ...3B Laura Schouten (#16), SS Sanne van der Putten,... ...2B Reganied Franka, 1B Else-Fieke de Boer (#13)... ...and pitcher Esmee Ames (#5) celebrate an out... (© Photo: WBSC Game Media) Mexico then added two runs in the top of the fourth. With one out, Mexico got the bases loaded when Jordyn Sky Villanueva Ramos, Kimberli Shantel Rodas Díaz and Edith De Leija all walked. All runners then advanced on a wild pitch, meaning Villanueva scored. Hereafter, Rodas also scored on a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Ximena Isabel Zamarron Alaniz to put Mexico ahead, 3-0. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Orange Team came close to a run, as it got its first runner to reach third base. Lead-off hitter Reganied Franka hit the ball into the outfield, where it was missed for an error, enabling her to reach third base. But she was unable to score, as the next three batters were retired. Mexico left a runner behind on first base in the top of the fifth inning, which began with two fine defensive plays by short stop Sanne van der Putten and second baseman Reganied Franka on two consecutive hard grounders. The next batter then walked, but she was forced out by Van der Putten, who made another nice defensive play on a grounder. In the sixth, Mexico got another runner on third base. Jordyn Sky Villanueva Ramos led off with a walk, moved on a wild pitch, then reached third base on a grounder, but was left behind. The team was retired in order in the seventh. The Netherlands was retired in order in its fifth, sixth and seventh at bat by Leanna Marie García Guevara, who retired the last twelve batters she faced. In the bottom of the sixth, second baseman Edith De Leija accounted for a defensive highlight by making a diving catch on a line drive by Sanne van der Putten for the second out. De Leija also made the final out of the game in the seventh and with that García completed her one-hit shutout.

Netherlands - Mexico 0-3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Mexico 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 - 3 4 1 Netherlands 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 0 pitcher Mexico inn. SO BB H R ER Leanna Marie García Guevara, W (2-1) 7 3 - 1 - - pitcher Netherlands inn. SO BB H R ER Esmee Ames, L (0-3) 7 4 5 4 3 3 Box Score Play-by-Play Umpires: HP-Naomi Erdahl (USA), 1B-Miguel Santoya (Colombia), 2B-Megan Hylton (Germany), 3B-Patricia Hamamoto (Brazil). Clock Operator-Gabriela Elizabeth Jimenez (Argentina). Official Scorers-Elisabet Salvador (Spain), Juan Pantigozo (Peru), Andrés De León (Panama). Technical Commissioners-Daniela Osaki (Peru), Fabian Medina (Argentina). Starting Time-4:30 PM. Time Played-1:30 hrs. Site-Field #1, Complejo Deportivo Villa María del Triunfo, Lima (Peru). Game Notes: Under-18 World Cup Softball Women 2021. Weather conditions at game time: Partly cloudy, 20° C (68° F); wind direction south; wind speed 18 kmh (11,2 mph); wind force 2 Bft; humidity 76%.

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