Dutch Hoofdklasse, Tuesday July 7: Curacao Neptunus @ L&D Amsterdam Pirates

Because of European Cup obligations Curacao Neptunus later this season, the game that was scheduled then, between Curacao Neptunus and L&D Amsterdam Pirates was played today.

In a high scoring and close game, Neptunus took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. With two outs and Rien Vernooij on first, Vernooij advanced to second base on a rare wild pitch, thrown by Rob Cordemans. When Stijn van der Meer doubled to right field, Vernooij scored the opening run for Neptunus.
But in the very same inning, Pirates answered with some serious offense. Remco Draijer drew a lead off walk and stole second during Bas Nooij’s at bat. A throwing error by catcher Gianison Boekhoudt allowed Draijer to advance to third base. After Patrick Bok drew a walk, Rachid Gerard drove in Remco Draijer on a 1-3 ground out. Patrick Bok advanced to second on the play. After a two run homerun hit by Linoy Croes, Roelie Henrique drew another walk and stole second before Michael Duursma doubled down the right field line to give Pirates a 4-1 lead.

The hero and MVP of last year’s Holland Series, Berry van Driel, who made a spot start, was pulled in the third inning after he gave up consecutive singles to Kenny Berkenbosch and Remco Draijer. Van Driel was replaced by Orlando Yntema, who was hit hard last Saturday in Neptunus’ 2-19 loss vs Vaessen Pioniers. Bas Nooij then grounded out on a sacrifice bunt that moved Berkenbosch to third and Draijer to second. A single by Patrick Bok, a 6-4 ground out by Rachid Gerard and a double to left center field by Linoy Croes drove in three more runs for L&D Amsterdam Pirates.

In the meantime, Rob Cordemans cruised through the innings, only giving up a two run homerun in the sixth to Gianison Boekhoudt with Raily Legito on board, to bring Neptunus back within five runs ( Pirates had scored another run in the fifth).

After Cordemans was pulled, Kevin Heijstek gave up three singles and a run to Neptunus in the eighth inning.

In the ninth, Neputunus rallied to score two more runs as Christian Diaz was hit by a pitch (and replaced by pinch runner Adrian Anthony) and as Stijn van der Meer and Gyenuar Lopez both doubled. But at that point the rally stalled as Kevin Heystek retired the next three batters he faced to end the game. Final score: Curacao Neptunus 6 – L&D Amsterdam Pirates 8

Rob Cordemans earned the win as he gave up three runs on five hits in seven innings and walked two and struck out four. Cordenmans’ ERA is a microscopic 0.85.
Berry van Driel, took the loss. After two innings and two hitters he was pulled. He gave up six runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out as many.

Best hitter for Pirates was Linoy Croes, who went 2 for 4 with a double and a homerun and three runs batted in and a run scored. He raised his batting average to .319. Stijn van der Meer had a big impact for Neptunus as he drove in two runs on three hits (two of them were a double).

Today the news was published that the previous game between the two clubs that was also played earlier because of the Eurpean Cup obligations of Neptunus, must be replayed from the fifth inning because Nick Urbanus of L&D Amsterdam Pirates used a bat that isn’t on a list with bats that is approved by the CEB (European Baseball Confederation). It remains to be seen when this game will be played because of the upcoming World Port Tournament in Rotterdam in which the Dutch National team will play and the afore mentioned European Cup obligations of Curacao Neptunus.