U15 World Cup 2018: The Netherlands doesn’t stand a chance vs Japan

For four innings the Kingdom of the Netherlands may have had hope to beat Japan as they clung on to a narrow 1-0 lead. But in the fifth, Japan scored three runs and never looked back as they outscored the Dutch 11-1.

In the first inning, the Dutch took a surprising lead. Back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases and thanks to a sac fly to left field, hit by Gedionne Marlin, the Dutch could score the opening run. But then the team failed to score more runs as Sota Hinoue retired the next two batters to get out of the inning without further damage.

Rick Rizvic pitched four scoreless innings in which he did not allow a hit but gave up three walks though. After 44 pitches, Rizvic was replaced and from that moment on, Japan started to hit. Three Dutch relievers gave up ten hits and allowed Japan to score eleven times. These Dutch pitchers did not struggle with their control, they were just hit hard. In three combined innings, they only gave up four walks.

Despite the blowout score, the Dutch managed to play seven games vs one of the top countries in youth baseball, a performance they still can be proud of.

The Dutch collected three hits of which Jurrangelo Cijntje got two (2 for 3).