Dutch Clinch Another Walk Off Victory, Advance to Final

Once again, team Kingdom of the Netherlands turned the tables after trailing earlier in the game. France had taken a 5-2 lead in the top of the fifth inning, but the Dutch bounced back by scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth, to tie the game at five. Eventually, the Dutch decided the game in the final inning.

France went off a quick start in the first inning. Starting pitcher Jelle van der Lelie walked the first batter he faced and after retiring the second batter, he also walked the third French batter. But during his at-bat, Mathis Meurant was caught stealing. So with two outs, back-to-back singles by Pierre Doat and Louis Brainville drove in two runs.

In the third inning, the Dutch cut the lead in half when Ruben Marnix scored from third on Sem Kuijper’s single to right field.

In the fourth inning, France scored twice again and the Dutch cut that lead in half once again when, after two walks and a fielding error, Jair van Borkulo scored on Raydley Legito’s base hit.

After France scored one more run in the top of the fifth, the Dutch offense caught fire.
With one out and runners on the corners, Makesiondon Kelkboom singled up the middle to drive in Sem Kuijper and to put runners on first and second. The Dutch loaded the bases when Jesse Velders reached base on a fielders choice. A ground out by Brandon Rincones drove in Ruendrick Piternella. Raydley Legito eventually drove in the game-tying run with a hit to third base that scored Makesiondon Kelkboom.

Neither team did score in the sixth, so everything came down to the final frame.
Pim Vijfvinkel retired the French side in the top of the seventh. With one out and the bases loaded, Jeandro Tromp became the game winner when he singled to right field to drive in Brandon Rincones for the walk off run.

Pim Vijfvinkel earned the win. He pitched two perfect innings in which he struck out one.
Reliever Quentin Moulin took the loss for France. He lasted 2.1 innings in which he gave up four runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks, as he struck out two.

The best hitters for team Kingdom of the Netherlands were Marnix Ruben and Sem Kuijper. Both went 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.

With this victory, the Dutch are still in the race to defend their title. The opponent will be Germany or Great Britain.

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