Dutch Hoofdklasse 2016: Neptunus clinches first half win

Tonight the battle for first place of the first half of the season was decided. The one game that was suspended due to a bench clearing brawl, was played all over again tonight. Current European champion L&D Amsterdam Pirates headed to Rotterdam to take on current Dutch champion Curacao Neptunus.

In a game in which L&D Amsterdam Pirates still could think of tying the game when it trailed 3-0, a three run outburst in the seventh inning smashed that hope.
With runners on the corners, Stijn van der Meer stole second base to put both runners  in scoring position for Curacao Neptunus. Then Raily Legito singled up the middle to drive in Dwayne Kemp and to put runners on the corners again. That was a sign for Pirates manager Charles Urbanus to replace reliever Daan Hendrix with Tom de Blok. But the Blok could not stop Neptunus’ offensive tidal wave.  First he struck out Gianison Boekhoudt but then threw a wild pitch that allowed Raily Legito to advance to third base after he had stolen second and it allowed Stijn van der Meer to score the fifth run for Neptunus. A single through the left side by Christian Diaz, drove in Legito. 
In the meantime, Neptunus’ pitching had limited Pirates to only five hits until the eighth inning. Kevin Kelly made a spot start and lasted five innings, allowing the Amsterdam team to collect only three hits. Steven van Groningen pitched the next two innings and gave up only two hits.
In the top of the eighth inning, Pirates finally got on the board. Gilmer Lampe got on base thanks to a throwing error by Stijn van der Meer and advanced to second on a single hit by Remco Draijer. When Kenny Berkenbosch flied out to center field, Lampe advanced to third before he crossed home plate when Danny Rombley singled to right field.  After Max Clarijs swung his bat on a wild pitch and struck out, he reached first base safely and the other two base runners advanced to load the bases. But Pirates could not cash in any further as Jesse Aussems struck out looking.
Kevin Kelly earned the win, Dennis Burgersdijk took the loss after 4.2 innings in which he gave up three runs (two earned) on eight hits, walked three and struck out three.

Stijn van der Meer and Gianison Boekhoudt both went 3 for 4 for Neptunus. Van der Meer scored two runs and Boekhoudt drove in one.

Thanks to this victory, Curacao Neptunus clinched the first half win.