Holland Series 2019: L&D Amsterdam Pirates fights back

After four scoreless innings, Curaçao Neptunus opened the score as it plated two runs in the top of the fifth inning. But in the bottom of that frame, L&D Amsterdam Pirates scored five times to reach the final score of 5-2. 

As written in the prologue, Neptunus opened the score thanks to an RBI single by Quentin de Cuba and a sac fly by Willie Johnson. It took some time before the second run was scored as the floodgates of heaven opened and caused a rain delay of more than an hour.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Pirates offense finally took off as the lineup jumped on reliever Misja Harcksen. Roelie Henrique cut Neptunus’ lead in half as he scored on a wild pitch. When Harcksen loaded the bases, he was replaced by Kevin Kelly.
But Kelly couldn’t stop Pirates’ offense either. A groundout, hit by Kalian Sams, drove in the game-tying run. After a short injury delay, Kenny Berkenbosch hit the offered pitch down the left field line for a three-run home run.

Jim Ploeger, who started the game for L&D Amsterdam Pirates, was pulled after the rain delay as he had pitched 4.1 innings in which he was tabbed for two runs (one after the aforementioned rain delay) on four hits and a walk as he struck out three. He was replaced by Mike Groen, who pitched 4.2 innings in which he no-hit Neptunus and only gave up one walk and struck out one for the win.

Best hitter for L&D Amsterdam Pirates was Kenny Berkenbosch. Just like Rachid Gerard, he went 2 for 4 but Berkenbosch hit a home run, drove in three runs and scored once himself.

Thanks to this win, Pirates is finally on the board but Neptunus is still in the driver’s seat as it has a 3-1 lead.

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