Dutch playoffs 2017: Narrow escapes for Pirates and Neptunus

After two rainouts in round four last week, the games in the playoff round had to be made up. For the two teams that reached the Holland Series, the home advantage is depending on the results. HCAW hosted L&D Amsterdam Pirates while Curaçao Neptunus hosted Hoofddorp Pioniers.

L&D Amsterdam Pirates  9  –  8  HCAW
The victory of L&D Amsterdam Pirates was a narrow escape and hard fought as the team blew a four-run lead but eventually walked off as a victor. After a quick 1-0 lead on a bases loaded walk in the first inning, Pirates scored another run in the third inning. After they scored two more runs in the fourth inning, it looked like Pirates would walk away easily. But HCAWrallied in the bottom of the fourth to get back within a run. Back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases before Dalvin Kortstam and Dylan Koster singled to drive in three runs.
A sac fly in the sixth, drove in another run for Pirates. In the eighth inning, Nick Urbanus homered to right field to add two more runs to Pirates’ score.
After Robin Schel was replaced in the seventh inning by Hidde Brocken, the latter kept HCAW from scoring in the seventh. But in the eighth, Brocken got into trouble and spoiled a four run lead. HCAW came close to score the go-ahead run when Delano Selassa got on third base, but eventually Kevin Weijgertse flied out to center field.
In the top of the ninth inning, Pirates loaded the bases with no outs, but the team failed to cash in as Remco Draijer grounded into a double play and Norbert Jongerius grounded out 5-3. After HCAW did not score in the ninth either, extra innings were needed. With two outs and runners in scoring position, a wild pitch by Tim Niekerk allowed Kenny Berkenbosch and Danny Rombley to score the go-ahead run and an insurance run.
After Hidde Brocken gave up one more run in the bottom of the tenth inning, he retired the final two batters for the win.
Best hitter for L&D Amsterdam Pirates was Max Clarijs, who went 1 for 1 with a run scored. Most impact though had Nick Urbanus who drove in three runs with a sac fly and a home run.

Hoofddorp Pioniers  8  –  13  Curaçao Neptunus
Also a narrow escape for Curaçao Neptunus as the team took full advantage of a failing Pioniers’ bullpen and came back from an 8-0 deficit. Hoofddorp Pioniers took a surprising 8-0 lead by scoring runs in the first inning (two), in the third inning (four) and the fourth and the fifth innings (both one run). Two singles, three walks, a fielders choice and a double steal led to four runs in the third inning. But after Dion Stijl, who kept Neptunus limited to five hits in six innings, walked two and fanned five, was replaced by Taylor Clemensia, Neptunus threatened. Clemensia gave up two runs on just one hit as he walked three and did not manage to get an out. After Clemensia was replaced Glenn Wassink gave up five more runs of which Clemensia was tabbed for three more. Eventually, Wassink retired Ruar Verkerk on a flyout to keep Neptunus from scoring the game-tying run.
Kevin Kelly lasted only 2.2 innings in which he gave up six runs on three hits and six walks and struck out four. His successor Stefan Ianelli, he lasted 3.1 innings and gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks and struck out one. Misja Harcksen entered the game in the seventh inning and lasted two frames in which he gave up one hit and struck out one. 
In the eighth inning, the bullpen of Pioniers even collapsed a bit more as Darryl Jamoena loaded the bases and his replacement Maickel Rietel gave up a hit to Gregory Muller who drove in the game-tying and go-ahead run. Dwayne Kemp dealt the final blow as he hit a three-run home run.
Misja Harcksen earned the win. The loss went to Darryl Jamoena. Loek van Mil retired the side in the ninth.
Best hitter for Curaçao Neptunus was Gianison Boekhoudt, who went 4 for 5 with three RBI and two runs scored.

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