Holland Series 2019: Neptunus strikes first

In game one of the 2019 Holland Series, Curaçao Neptunus hosted L&D Amsterdam Pirates. In a real see-saw game, both teams took the lead several times. But eventually, Neptunus took full advantage of Pirates’ struggling pitching and beat their opponent 6-4.

Curaçao Neptunus opened the score in the third inning when Stijn van der Meer singled to right field and drove in Greg Muller from second base. In the top of the fourth, L&D Amsterdam Pirates bounced back. With runners in scoring position, Kalian Sams hit a sac fly to center field on which Denzel Richardson advanced to third and Gilmer Lampe scored the game-tying run. Richardson gave Pirates the lead when Kenny Berkenbosch singled up the middle.

But in the bottom of the fourth,  starting pitcher Jim Ploeger struggled as he loaded the bases and allowed two runs, one on Benjamin Dille’s singled down the right field line and one on a passed ball. But despite the two runs, Ploeger kept the damage limited but had to surrender the lead to Neptunus again. The choice for Jim Ploeger may be called a surprising choice by manager Brian Finnegan.

With Diegomar Markwell on the mound in the fifth, Gilmer Lampe hit a two-run homer to left field as he took Sharlon Schoop, who had drawn a walk, with him to give Pirates the lead again.

Both starting pitchers needed a lot of pitches. After five full innings, Diegomar Markwell had thrown seventy-five pitches. Jim Ploeger was pulled after ninety-six pitches in 4.1 innings. At the moment he was pulled, Neptunus had runners on the corners with one out. Mike Groen, who replaced Ploeger, could not keep Neptunus from pushing. After he hit Quintin de Cuba with a pitch, he gave up a walk and threw a wild pitch on which two runners (!) could score to give Neptunus the lead again.

In the sixth, Neptunus extended its lead with a run as Dudley Leonora singled home Stijn van der Meer.

Kevin Kelly, who limited Pirates to two hits in the seventh inning, didn’t start the eighth frame very well as he walked two. With one out, Kelly was replaced by Misja Harcksen, who retired the next two batters to get out of the inning without any damage.

Diegomar Markwell earned the win after six innings of work. He gave up four runs on seven hits and four walks and struck out two. Misja Harcksen earned the save after 1.2 perfect innings in which he struck out three. Jim Ploeger took the loss. In 4.1 innings, he gave up five runs on eight hits and three walks and struck out six.

Best hitter for Neptunus was Dwayne Kemp, who went 4 for 5 with a double and a run scored.

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