2022 Belgian Series, Game 2

In a quick game (two hours and twenty-four minutes) Hoboken Pioneers did not have much problems with Deurne Spartans, even though the final result didn’t show a blowout score.

Hoboken Pioneers  4  –  0  Deurne Spartans
At Lefty’s Field in Deurne, the game was merely a copy of yesterday’s game. The Spartans couldn’t get a grip on the pitches of Kenny van den Branden, who limited them to four base hits. 

Pioneers took a commanding lead right in the first inning. After two walks and a fly out, Dennis de Quint singled to left field to drive in Benjamin Goffaux and to put runners on the corners. With Kevin Delgado at bat, Dennis de Quint stole second base before Delgado grounded out 4-3 and drove in Thomas de Wolf for the second run of Pioneers. On the second pitch he faced, Xander Verspreet hit towards third base. But what would have been the final out resulted in a throwing error that allowed Dennis de Quint to score Hoboken Pioneers’ third run. 

In the third inning, Hoboken had a golden opportunity to extend its score when it loaded the bases with only one out. But Edgardo Jose Nieto Castillo pitched out of the jam by retiring the next two batters on fly outs. Until the seventh inning, Edgardo Jose Nieto Castillo kept the lineup of Pioneers in check rather well, but eventually in that seventh inning he had to give up another run. On a 2-0 count, Dennis de Quint connected for a solo shot to right center field. In the remainder of the game, Nieto Castillo did not allow any more runs as he pitched a complete game in which he threw 163 pitches. Despite a decent outing, he took the loss, as he gave up four runs on six hits and seven walks, and struck out three. 

Kenny van den Branden earned the win. In eight frames, he allowed only four hits and struck out five, for which he needed 113 pitches. Ben van Nuffel pitched a perfect ninth in which he threw thirteen pitches.

Dennis de Quint was clearly the best hitter for Pioneers again, as he went 3 for 4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. 

Thanks to today’s win, Hoboken is only one win away from repeating as Belgian champion.
Barring poor weather, game three will be played next Saturday in Hoboken. Start of the game will be at 14.00 (2.00 PM). 

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