This early morning, the game between T&A San Marino and Curaçao Neptunus, that was postponed at a 5-5 score on Monday, was rescheduled for today. Neptunus had to win with a difference of three runs to make it to the semis.
T&A San Marino 7 – 8 Curaçao Neptunus
The game continued at the start of the ninth inning. Just like Monday, neither team didn’t give in an inch. Neptunus took the lead in the top of the ninth when Stijn van der Meer homered to left field. San Marino had to do a bit more to score a run. Leo Ferrini was intentionally walked and according to the play-by-play, he advanced on a balk, three times… and thus scored the game-tying run. So with the game tied at six, we went to free baseball once again. Neither team did score in the tenth even though they loaded the bases with only one out. Then came the eleventh inning. Again runners were placed on first and second base. Stijn van der Meer drew a walk to load the bases. John Polonius then hit into a force out at second base and drove in Raydley Legito for the go-ahead run. Louis Sienders followed with a single to center field that drove in Greg Muller. In San Marino’s at-bat, with runners in scoring position, Kevin Kelly balked again and Jesus Ustariz scored San Marino’s seventh run. So after Kevin Kelly retired the next two batters, the difference was only one run. Not enough for Neptunus to advance to the semi-finals. A bitter victory for sure.
Kevin Kelly pitched three innings for the win. He allowed two runs (one earned) on two
walks and struck out three. Luca Di Raffaele took the loss. He pitched two innings, in which he allowed two unearned runs on a hit and two walks, as he struck out three.
The best hitter for Curaçao Neptunus was Jiandido Tromp, who went 2 for 2.
Thanks to this win, that must feel as a loss, Neptunus will face Draci Brno to play against relegation. That game is scheduled at 16.00 (4.00 PM CET).
There is a good chance that the final will contain two Italian clubs. T&A San Marino will face L&D Amsterdam Pirates in the first semi-final at 15.00. Parmaclima will take on the Bonn Capitals in the second semi-final, that is scheduled at 19.00.
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