Dutch lose last practice game before Premier 12 start

With a lineup with Carlton Daal at short, Yurendell de Caster at third, Andurw Jones at first, Wladimir Balentien at DH, Curt The Dutch starting lineup of today Smith in left field, Shawn Zarraga behind home plate, Kalian Sams in right field, Sharlon Schoop at second, Randolph Oduber in center field and with Kevin Heijstek taking the mound, the Kingdom of the Netherlands took on the Dominican Republic in the last practice game before the start of the Premier 12 tournament.

The two teams were very different than when the two met for the last time in the semi-final of the 2013 WBC.

The Dominicans took an early 2-0 lead thanks to some fielding errors by the Dutch defense in the second inning. In the third inning, Mike Bolsenbroek entered the game in relief and kept the Dominicans from scoring in that inning. But one inning later, a fielding error and a bloop single would put runners on board as Anderson Feliz hit a three run homerun to give the Dominicans a commanding 5-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Dutch started well as Kalian Sams and Sharlon Schoop both singled to start the inning. But after Randolph Oduber hit into a double play, Carlton Daal struck out to end the inning.

In the top of the sixth inning, Gilmer Lampe replaced Randolph Oduber in center field and Hainley Statia replaced Sharlon Schoop at second. Statia proved that despite not having played in the minors last season, he still has it.  With some nice plays he made some great outs: A diving play at his glove side and a jumping catch and an out at second for the double play.

Finally in the eighth inning, team Kingdom of the Netherlands got on the boards as they scored two. Gilmer Lampe got on base thanks to an error, Gianfranco Wawoe singled and Yurendell de Caster drew a walk to load the bases. Dwayne Kemp then hit a double to drive in two runs for the Dutch. But as Dashenko Ricardo was the third out of the eighth inning, the Duch stranded two runners.

After Kalian Sams doubled to lead off in the bottom of the ninth, Gianfranco Wawoe singled to right field where the Dominican defense faltered. Wawoe tried to score all the way from first but was thrown out at homeplate. Nevertheless, Kalian Sams could score the third run for the Dutch.

Eventually team Kingdomg of the Netherlands stayed at the wrong side of the score, falling 5-3 to the Dominicans.

Manager Hensley Meulens used Mike Bolsenbroek (2 innings), Wendell Floranus (1 inning), Mike Ploeger (2 inings), Berry van Driel (1 inning) and Bayron Cornelisse (1 inning).

Center fielder Christopher Garia was kept in the dugout after he got injured after yesterday’s collision with Kalian Sams in the outfield.

In general the Dutch left a good impression, but the defense has to step up a bit as they committed another couple of errors for the second game in a row. At bat they need to take advantage of runners in scoring position, but as these two games (yesterday vs the USA) were only practice games, these losses do not really mean a lot.

Monday, the team will take on Taiwan in the first serious game for both teams.

Both teams lineup before the start of the game