After a hard fought victory over Arrows Ostrava and the win of the Bonn Capitals over Parmaclima Baseball, L&D Amsterdam was warned not to underestimate today’s opponent. In the first half of the game, Bonn was clearly the better team but due to a lack of pitching depth, the squandered a big lead. Due to lack of good pitching on both sides, this game ended with a ridiculous handball-like score.

L&D Amsterdam Pirates 13 – 14 Bonn CapitalsIn an utterly bad game the Bonn Capitals stayed at the right side of the score. L&D Amsterdam Pirates suffered the consequences of two starting pitchers not being around. Luuk ter Beek, who was acquired in the off season, got an offer to play collegiate ball in the USA. Tom de Blok, signed a contract in Mexico, where he was released after one game due to an injury. As a result, the starting pitching was highly insufficient again and the first half of the game was more like a batting practice for the Bonn Capitals.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Bonn Capitals took the lead. Willson Lee connected for a solo home run on a 2-2 offering. But with that home run, the threat was not over yet. Danny Lankhorst drew a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a passed ball. And all this with only one out. But Jelle van der Lelie struck out the next two batters to get out of the inning without any further damage. After 2.5 innings, the game was postponed due to rainfall. When the game continued, Bonn extended their lead when Wilson Lee tripled to right field and drove in Vincent Ahrens and Daniel Lamb-Hunt. To make things worse, a fielding error by third baseman Mick Vos allowed Bonn to score another run.
With one blow, Gilmer Lampe brought Pirates back in the game as he hit a three-run jack to left field. But a homer by Terrell Joyce in the bottom of the fourth, gave Bonn a five run lead again. A double by Wilson Lee drove in another run to make it 9-3.
For manager Michael Duursma, this was the sign to replace Jelle van der Lelie and send Gio de Graauw to the mound. A little too late, as the damage was already done.
In the top of the sixth, Pirates’ offense finally caught fire. With runners on first and second, Wilson Lee was relieved by Samuel Steigert. Roelie Henrique singled to center field to drive in Kenny Berkenbosch from second base. Gilmer Lampe then drew a walk to load the bases, followed by a grand slam home run hit by Kalian Sams. With two outs, Delano Selassa hit an infield hit that drove in Sharlon Schoop from second for the game-tying run.
But Bonn would regain the lead again in the bottom of the sixth on a solo home run by Danny Lankhorst.
With the bases loaded in the seventh, Sharlon Schoop hit a bloop single to center field that drove in two runs to give Pirates the lead, for the first time in the game. A double by Sicnarf Loopstok extended the lead with two runs to make it 13-10. But in the bottom of the seventh, Bonn homered once again in the person of Lee Wilson, who took two runners with him.
In the bottom of the eighth, Mike Groen struggled and loaded the bases with two outs. Terrell Joyce then singled to right field to drive in one run and to give the Capitals the lead again. As Pirates would not score anymore, the Bonn Capitals clinched the win and a spot in the semi-finals.
Nicholas Micelli earned the win after three innings in relief in which he allowed four runs on five hits and a walk and struck out five. Mike Groen took the loss as he surrendered two runs on three hits and two walks in three innings.
The best hitter for Bonn in this slugfest was Wilson Lee, who was a single shy of the cycle with very impressive numbers, as he went 4 for 5 with two home runs, a triple and a double.