2022 Dutch hoofdklasse Top Four Competition: Round 6, Day 3

On the third day of the Top Four Competition in the 2022 Dutch Hoofdklasse, the following games were scheduled: L&D Amsterdam Pirates @ Curaçao Neptunus and Oosterhout Twins @ HCAW.

L&D Amsterdam Pirates 8 – 3 Curaçao Neptunus
L&D Amsterdam Pirates completed the sweep over Curaçao Neptunus, but the final score did not represent the real balance of power between the two teams. 
For seven innings, both teams kept each other in check rather well, but then, in the eighth, Pirates jumped on Kevin Bakker, who was having a bad day, despite retiring the side in the seventh inning, when he took over on the mound.  
In the third inning, Pirates opened the score when, with runners on first and second, Sharlon Schoop singled through the right side to drive in Rachid Engelhardt. Two innings later, Schoop delivered again with a solo shot to left center field. But it did not take Neptunus long to rebound. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Jiandido Tromp singled to center field and drove in Dave Janssen. Then, an error by Pirates’ shortstop allowed Stijn van der Meer to score the game-tying run. In the seventh inning, Neptunus even took the lead when a sac fly by Jiandido Tromp to left field drove in Greg Muller. 
But then, in the top of the eighth inning, Pirates regained the lead. With the bases loaded and two outs, Nicola Garbella singled down the first base line to drive in Sicnarf Loopstok and Kalian Sams. Rachid Engelhardt followed with an RBI single to third base, that allowed Tommy van de Sanden to score the third run of the inning. In the ninth inning, a three-run home run by Denzel Richardson added three more runs to Pirates’ total. 
Naut Kragt earned the win. In two innings of relief, he gave up a run on a hit and a walk and struck out three. Jelle van der Lelie earned the save after two innings of work. He loaded the bases in the ninth after two quick outs, but managed to retire Roger Bernadina for the final out of the game. Kevin Bakker took the loss. In 2.1 innings, he was credited for six runs on eight hits and a walk and he struck out four. 
Sharlon Schoop was the best hitter for L&D Amsterdam Pirates. He went 3 for 4 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. 


Oosterhout Twins  3  –  4  HCAW
With another close game, HCAW completed its sweep over Oosterhout Twins today. 
After Twins had taken the lead in the second inning when Jason Halman could score on a throwing error by HCAW’s second baseman, HCAW bounced back in the bottom of that same inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Jeandro Tromp hit a two RBI single to center field, that allowed Linoy Croes and Julian Goins to score the game-tying run and the go-ahead run. A bases-loaded walk by Kevin Dirksen drove in one more run for HCAW in that second inning. In the top of the third inning, Twins cut HCAW’s lead in half when Urving Kemp scored on a 6-3 groundout hit by Mick Vos. 
After two scoreless innings, Twins tied the game in the sixth inning, when Mick Vos scored on a 4-3 groundout hit by Jason Halman. Eventually, HCAW regained the lead in an eventful seventh inning. With runners on first and second, Julian Goins hit a dribbler to the pitcher, who threw to home plate to prevent the runner from third from scoring. Jason Halman then threw to first base, where Shurman Marlin couldn’t hold onto the ball, and allowed Victor Draijer to score the game-winning run. 
Dennis Burgersdijk earned the win, as he went the distance. He allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk, and struck out two. Elton Koeiman took the loss. Twins’ pitching coach pitched four innings in relief, allowed an unearned run on five hits and a walk, and struck out one. 
Linoy Croes was the best hitter for HCAW, as he went 2 for 2 with a run scored. 


Standings after six rounds: 

		Team	W	L	T	PCT	GB
1			14	7	0	.667	0
		L&D Amsterdam Pirates
2			13	8	0	.619	1
		HCAW
3			11	10	0	.524	3
		Curaçao Neptunus
4			4	17	0	.190	10
		Oosterhout Twins

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