Hard Fought Victory For Dutch in Game 2 of U23 European Championship

After a relatively easy victory over Austria yesterday, the Dutch had to step on it to clinch today’s victory against the Czech Republic.

Today’s matchup was a real nail biter and a pitching duel. Both teams used two pitchers. Czech Republic’s David Mergans kept the Dutch limited to only four hits. Nevertheless, he took the loss. The Dutch’ starting pitcher, Scott Prins pitched a better game, but had to give up a run to the Czechs, who took the lead in in the second inning. A single and an HBP put runners on the bases. A sac bunt by Jakub Winkler put runners in scoring position before Tomas Chadim hit a sac fly to right field, that drove in Martin Zelenka for the opening run.

But in the top of the third inning, the Netherlands tied the game at one when Jeandro Tromp singled through the right side to drive in Raydley Legito from second base. Until the sixth inning, the game remained tight, even though the Dutch had a runner in scoring position with one out in the top of the fifth inning.

Eventually, in the sixth inning, the Dutch took a slim decisive lead. With Max Kops at first base and two outs, Makesiondon Kelkboom singled through the right side and advanced Kops to third base from where he scored the go-ahead run on a single by Edvin Irausquin.

Even though the Czechs had a runner on third base with no outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, thanks to a leadoff walk, a wild pitch, and a stolen base, Scott Prins retired the next three batters he faced to hand over the lead to his successor, closer Pim Vijfvinkel, who pitched a perfect seventh for the save.

It may be clear that Scott Prins earned the win with an ERA of 1.17 as he gave up one hit, three walks and struck out three.

Edvin Irausquin, was the best hitter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He went 2 for 3 with an RBI.

In group A, the Dutch are one of two unbeaten teams. Great Britain, once again with many non-British-born players, is the other. At the moment of writing, the Great Britain takes on Austria.

This blog post is brought to you by