2024 U12 European Championship: Dutch Beat Italy, Advance to Semis

After victories over Lithuania and Austria, the Netherlands had to take on Italy, that was also unbeaten. Already in the first inning, the Netherlands took a 1-0 lead and never looked back. It was a game in which the Dutch scored many runs with two outs.

After a threatening situation on the bases in the top of the first inning, with runners on first and second , Kjeld Koehorst turned a splendid, inning-ending double play. With two outs and a runner on second in the bottom of the first inning, Andrew Arends singled to right field to drive in the opening run.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Dutch had runners on first and second and no outs. A double steal put both runners in scoring position and Iceson Ardjosoediro then singled to right field to drive in both runners.

In the top of the third inning, Lucas Baan would allow the only Italian run of the game. Baan, who pitched a complete game, allowed Lorenzo Pilati to score on Gianmaria Fontana’s 6-3 groundout.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Dutch could take advantage of some shaky defense of the Italians. Once again, with two outs, the Netherlands extended their score with a run. Kjeld Koehorst drew a walk and Lucas Baan struck out but still could reach first base safely on a passed ball on which Krijn van der Wens, who led off the inning with a single to right field, could advance to third base. A wild pitch allowed Van der Wens to score.

Also in the fourth inning, the Netherlands wasn’t impressed by two quick outs. Marcelo Montenegro Espinoza doubled down the left field line after which Krijn van der Wens drove him in with a single through the right side.

As written above, Lucas Baan pitched a helluva game. He lasted six innings in which he gave up one run on four hits. He walked two and struck out two and has a microscopic ERA of 0.86.

Kjeld Koehorst was the best hitter for the Netherlands, as he went 2 for 2 with a run scored.

The Dutch will advance to the semi finals in which they will face the runner up of group A. At the moment of writing, Germany and the Czech Republic are tied for first place and are facing each other in the night cap of today. Germany is leading 5-3 in the top of the fourth inning.


This blog post is brought to you by