U15 World Cup 2018: Dutch win final game
After securing an eighth-place finish due to the loss vs Brazil on the previous day, the Dutch won their final game of the tournament yesterday. The Dutch kept China scoreless for the biggest part of the game. Only in the final inning, China managed to score two runs to reach the final score of 6-2.
At Estadio Rico Cedeño, Chitré the Kingdom of the Netherlands began their final game of what was a fantastic trip for these young kids, which started at last year’s U15 European Championship in which they finished second behind Germany.
Today’s opponent China didn’t have much say in today’s game. From the second inning, the Dutch took a lead and never looked back. With Sebastiaan van der Horst at second base, Jesse Velders singled through the left side to drive in Van der Horst for the opening run. The Dutch were limited to that sole run in the first but would extend their lead in the following innings.
In the second inning, Donovan Antonia doubled to deep left field and then scored on an error by the Chinese pitcher to extend their lead to 2-0. A triple to deep right field by Jesse Velders ignited a three-run fourth inning. When Donovan Antonia hit towards third base, the Chinese third baseman committed one of the six errors the Chinese team would make. Thanks to this error, Velders could score the third Dutch run.
When with the bases loaded, Emilson Haswell hit into a force out at second base, Jurrangelo Cijntje scored another run for the Dutch. With two outs, Donovan Antonia stole home plate to score the fifth run for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The sixth and final run was scored on a sac fly to right field, hit by Emilson Haswell.
The Dutch pitching performed very well. Starting pitcher Ingmar Hutzezon pitched five shutout innings in which he gave up three hits and fanned two. His replacement, Kaien Oukes pitched 1.2 innings in which he gave up two runs on four hits and a walkand struck out one. Rick Rizvic recorded the final out of the inning on a foul out to first base.
Two of the six runs the Dutch scored were unearned. Best hitter for team Kingdom of the Netherlands was Jesse Velders who went 3 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.