European Cup 2014: Dutch advance to championship game with one game left in round two
Today, the Dutch made a decisive step into the championship game. France was the opponent. About two weeks ago, the two had met at a preparation tournament and the French left a good impresssion. Could they repeat this today?
On both sides the first inning was a 1-2-3 inning with three consecutive outs. But in the second inning the Dutch had a big inning it at bat. It all started with Kalian Sams and Shawn Zarraga drawing consecutive walks off French starting pitcher Leonel Cespedes, followed by a basehit towards third base by Yurendell de Caster. With the bases loaded, Sharlon Schoop hit towards third baseman Omar Williams. WIilliams tried to nail Kalian Sams on homeplate, but a throwing error allowed Sams to score and Schoop to reach base safely on a fielder’s choice. With the bases still loaded, Nick Urbanus hit a single to left field and allowed Shawn Zarraga to score the second run. Still with a bases loaded situation, Hainley Statia hit a single to right field. He tried to stretch it into a double and was thrown out 9-3-6. In the meantime all the other base runners scored to make it 5-0.
You would think: “Okay, we’re safe now.” Not quite true. The Dutch needed the other runs they scored throughout the game because René Leveret (who is playing for the Quebec Capitales) slammed two homeruns to put France on the board. He hit a solo shot in the fourth and a three run homerun in the fifth after Maxime Lefevre had scored on a single.
The Dutch scored two more runs in the third inning, three in the fourth (two on a homer by Curt Smith), three in the sixth (one on a solo shot by Gianison Boekhoudt) and one in the ninth.
Curt Smith: two run homerun in the fourth inning
Final score: 14-5 Netherlands.
DIegomar Markwell lasted seven innings in which he allowed five runs on nine hits. Markwell gave up one walk and struck out four. Once again René Leveret proved to be a tormentor for the Dutch pitching. On the pitching of Diegomar, he was responsible for four of the five French runs.
Kevin Kelly pitched one inning in relief in which he gave up a hit an d a walk.
Orlando Yntema, normally a starter, finished the game. He retired all three batters he faced, of which one with a K.
Orlando Yntema had a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth
France used four hurlers. Combined they allowed sixteen hits and fourteen runs (twelve earned). They gave up five walks and struck out four (all by Leonel Cespedes). Thomas Langloys was the only French pitcher who didn’t give up a run and who retired all batters (three) he faced.
Average wise, Yurendell de Caster was the best hitter, going 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Most effective was Curt Smith who went 2 for 5, with a two run homer. Smith drove in three runs and scored two himself.