U23 European Championship: Kingdom of the Netherlands advances to semis
In a mercy rule shortened game, the Kingdom of the Netherlands U23 team beat Great Britain 11-1. After the British had taken a surprising 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, the Dutch scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the second inning. For the biggest part of the game, Great Britain could keep pace rather well but a seven-run seventh inning resulted in a somewhat flattered score.
British catcher Hayden Platt hit a questionable home run off Dutch starting pitcher Kaj Timmermans to give Great Britain a 1-0 lead. Questionable because the Dutch saw the ball clear the fence on the left side of the left field foul pole. This run was the only one Kaj Timmermans would allow as he lasted seven innings in which he allowed six hits and two walks and fanned four.
On a couple of singles, a wild pitch and a throwing error by the British first baseman, the Dutch managed to turn the tables and take a 2-1 lead. The British could keep the damage limited in the next three innings, but in the sixth inning, the Dutch scored on a couple of extra base hits. With two outs, Jelle Kroft drew a walk and scored on Denzel Richardson’s triple to right center field. Richardson scored on his turn when Kendrick Delima doubled to left center field.
The seven runs in the seventh inning gave a somewhat distorted picture of the game.
With the bases loaded and one out, Max Draijer doubled down the right field line to drive in Nick Peels and Rachid Engelhardt. A single by Denzel Richardson drove in two more and two wild pitches and a bases loaded walk allowed the Dutch to score three more runs.
Best hitter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands was Denzel Richardson, who went 3 for 4 with a triple, three RBI and three runs scored.
Hitting results:
Delano Selassa: 1 for 4 with a run scored
Max Draijer: 1 for 4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored
Kendrick Delima: 3 for 4 with a double, a RBI and two runs scored
Rodney Daal: 1 for 3
Nick Peels: 1 for 3 with a run scored
In the semis, the Kingdom of the Netherlands will face Belgium that beat Germany 3-1.