In a matchup between the still reigning champion Hoboken Pioneers and the Deurne Spartans, Hoboken stayed at the right side of the score. For the neutral fan, it was a tedious game, as Hoboken was simply too strong, even though the score may tell a different story.
Deurne Spartans 0 – 5 Hoboken Pioneers
The score appears to be much closer than the game really was. Even though Hoboken’s 
starter Bebee Brayden wasn’t vastly dominant, he threw plenty of pitches that were called for a ball, the Deurne Spartans never really got a grip on his pitches. Even though Spartans had runners in scoring position in the first, in the fifth, in the sixth, and in the eighth inning, the team never cashed in.
The innings that really mattered in this game, were the third and the seventh. In the third inning, Benjamin Goffaux led off with a single to third base and scored all the way from first on a throwing error that followed on a bunt by Drew Janssen, who advanced to third on the throwing error. Thanks to a hard line drive single by Dennis de Quint, Janssen scored the second run for Hoboken. Xander Verspreet singled home Dennis de Quint from second base with a hit to center field, to give Hoboken Pioneers a commanding lead.
Until the seventh inning, nothing much happened, although Pioneers had a golden opportunity to extend the score when it loaded the bases with only one out. But Anderson Denny Gerdel Nieto pitched himself out of this pickle by retiring Jason Jie Sam Foek (strike out) and Benjamin Goffaux (fly out).
In the seventh inning, Thomas de Wolf did what he is feared for, as he hit a towering home run to right field to give Pioneers a 4-0 lead. Dennis de Quint followed with a double through the left side and advanced to third base on a dropped fly ball. On a 3-1 groundout by Xander Verspreet, De Quint scored Pioneers’ fifth run. 
After 156 pitches, Bebee Brayden was replaced in the top of the ninth by Drew Janssen, who pitched a perfect inning. Brayden earned the win as he allowed five hits and four walks, and struck out nine. Anderson Denny Gerdel Nieto took the loss. In seven innings, he allowed five runs (two earned) on eight hits and three walks, as he struck out four.
Dennis de Quint was the best hitter for the Hoboken Pioneers. He went 2 for 3 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored.
Tomorrow, game two will be played at Lefty’s Field in Deurne. The game will start at 14.00 (2.00 PM).
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