In a see saw game between the Czech Republic (or Czechia as the Czech government likes to call the country now) and China, both teams took the lead but eventually the Czechs stayed at the right side of the score, scoring four runs in the ninth.
In the first inning, the Czech Republic scored two runs thanks to a couple of singles, and two sac flies. In the third inning, the team extended its lead with a run when Matej Mensik homered to left field.
But China refused to give up. In the bottom of the fifth, Martin Schneider replaced Daniel Padysak. But the move did not pan out quite right as Schneider started with walking the first two batters he faced. After recording the first out of the inning, Schneider loaded the bases by walking YongKang Kou. A force out at second base, drove in China’s first run.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Czechs erased that Chinese run by scoring one themselves. With William Escala on third base, Filip Smola singled to left field and drove in Escala. But China proved some flexibility.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Chinese overtook the Czechs as they scored four runs. Three singles and a sac fly gave China the unexpected lead.
As the eighth inning was a quick affair for both teams, the Czechs had to strike in the top of the ninth.
With runners in scoring position and one out, Martin Muzik homered to left field and took Martin Zervenka and Jakub Grepl with him. But that wasn’t the end of the offensive urge. With two outs, Petr Zyma doubled to center field, followed by an RBI single by Filip Smola.
Marek Minarik, who entered the game in the seventh inning, gave up just one more bloop single in the ninth but retired the remaining three Chinese hitters for the win.
Best hitter for the Czech Republic was Matej Mensik, who went 2 for 3 with a single, a solo home run, one RBI and a run scored.
Below you can see the summary of the game:
Dutch Baseball Hangout 
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