Dutch fall to Czechs in semi-final

The Dutch fought like lions but in the end, they fell short to the team that has won multiple European championships (nine) and only failed to reach the final two times since 2002: The Czech Republic. In this game, the Czechs proved to be too strong as they won 10-5.

After the Dutch had taken a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, the Czechs inched closer as they scored twice in the bottom of the first. In the second the Central Europeans scored two more runs to take a 5-3 lead, a lead they would extend with a run in the fourth inning. After the Dutch came back to 6-5 on a single by Jayden van Atten and a sac fly by Mats van het Land, the Czechs stepped on it one more time in the bottom of the fifth.

With the bases loaded, Vojtech Ventruba doubled the right center field to drive in two runs. Two consecutive sac flies drove in two more as the Czechs reached the final score. The Dutch team could not take advantage of the five errors the Czechs committed.

Benjamin O’Rourke pitched 4.2 innings for the win as he gave up five runs on eight hits as he struck out five. Guido Feldkamp took the loss. In 0.1 inning he was tabbed for three runs on two hits and a walk.

Jamie Beerman was the best hitter for the Dutch as he went 3 for 4 with a run scored. Both Benjamin O’Rourke and Filip Kubicek went 3 for 3 for the Czech Republic. O’Rourke hit a double, drove in two and scored once while Kubicek hit a triple and scored twice.

In the other semi-final, Italy had to go deep for the first time in this tournament. In Russia, the Azzurri had a good opponent that made them work for their money.
Russia even took a 3-1 lead but eventually ended at the wrong side of the score as Italy won 5-4.

So for Russia and The Netherlands, all that remains is the consolation game tomorrow, which will decide who will finish in third place. In the final two unbeaten teams will face each other.