The story of tonight’s game was Stephen Perakslis. The American with Greek roots was at the right time at the right place for Bologna as he kept Neptunus totally in check. Eventually, Neptunus fell to the Italian champion 10-3.
In a battle of the champions, Fortitudo Bologna struck first in the second inning. With Diegomar Markwell on the mound, the Italians scored thrice thanks to a sac fly by Eladio Russo and a two-run jack by Alessandro Grimaudo.
Two walks, a triple and a double drove in three more runs in the third inning. It signaled the end for Diegomar Markwell. His successor, Kevin Kelly did fairly well as he allowed only one run over 4.1 innings. But after he was replaced, Misja Harcksen surrendered three more runs in the eighth.
What could Neptunus do? Not much. As written before, they were kept in check by Stephen Perakslis. In the fifth, Neptunus scored once when Benjamin Dille hit into a 4-3 groundout on which Shaldimar Daantji could cross home plate. In the ninth, when Perakslis was replaced after 107 pitches, Neptunus scored twice. With Murio Brolo on the mound, Stijn van der Meer led off the inning with a triple to center field. Dwayne Kemp’s groundout to first base drove in Van der Meer for Neptunus’ second run of the game. Gianison Boekhoudt scored Neptunus’ third run on a passed ball, but that was all Neptunus was capable of.
No surprise that Stephen Perakslis earned the win as he limited Neptunus to one run on two hits and a walk and struck out seven in eight innings. Perakslis’ dominance cannot be more emphasized by the fact that Neptunus could not take advantage of the four errors that Bologna made.
Diegomar Markwell took the loss after 2.1 innings in which he allowed six runs on five 
hits and two walks.
The best hitter for Fortitudo Bologna was Ericson Leonora, who went 2 for 4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored.
With the elimination of Curaçao Neptunus tonight, we will get a new European Champion.
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