Super 6 2018: Narrow escape for the Dutch

In the game between Italy and team Kingdom of the Netherlands, most runs were scored on home runs. In fact, many Dutch batters swung for the fences with the results that several flied out or popped out. But eventually a single proved to be the game-winner for the Dutch in extra innings as the Dutch beat Italy 9-8. 

For the first time this tournament, the pitchers were not bothered by the hard wind. The home runs that were hit tonight were not carried by the wind that much.

Italy took a quick 4-0 lead in the first two innings, partially thanks to a two-run shot by Chris Colabello in the first inning. The Dutch also used the long ball to get aside. In the second inning, Sicnarf (Francis spelled backward) Loopstok cleared the fences with a two-run home run and in the third, Curt Smith repeated this trick.

But in the top of the fourth, a double by Giuseppe Mazzanti and a sac fly by Robel Garcia drove in two unearned runs after second baseman Dwayne Kemp dropped a fly ball.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Dutch used the long ball again to inch closer as Kalian Sams hit a monster home run to left field.

Alex Liddi showed why he is at the Italian squad as he hit a leadoff triple of Loek van Mil in the top of the eighth. The former MLB player scored on Giuseppe Mazzanti’s single to left field.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Dutch inched closer on another home run hit by Kalian Sams and another home run by Sicnarf Loopstok (as you can see in the attached video) tied the game at seven.

So with the game tied after nine innings, it went into extra innings. With the tiebreaker rule in effect, Italy placed runners on first and second. Back-to-back singles by Leonardo Zileri and Andrew Maggi gave Italian the one-run lead.

With runners on first and second Dudley Leonora laid down a sac bunt to move the runners over in scoring position. A single to right field by Dwayne Kemp tied the game once again and put Gilmer Lampe in scoring position with just one out. A bloop single to right center field by Randolph Oduber drove in the winning run for the Dutch.

Despite giving up two runs, Loek van Mil earned the win. Alex Basani gave up the game-tying run and the walk-off run and was tabbed for the loss.

Catcher Sicnarf Loopstok was the best hitter for the Dutch as he went 3 for 4 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored.