U12 European Championship 2019: Dutch win tournament opener

Today, the U12 European Championship started in Trebic, Czech Republic. The Dutch had to take on France in the opening game and clinced a rather easy victory.

France  4  –  8  The Netherlands

The Dutch took an early lead in the first inning when Otis Ward scored on a bases-loaded sac fly, hit by Yilber Contreras. Kenji Plezier was thrown out for the final out of the inning as he tried to reach second base on the throw to home plate.
After the French tied the game at one in the top of the third inning, the Dutch stepped on it in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded, Yilber Contreras singled to left field and drove in two runs. A double by Jorrit Patist drove in two more to give the Dutch a 5-1 lead.
The French inched closer in the sixth as they scored twice on a single by Arthur Coste and a throwing error when Maxime Olujic stole second.
But once again, the Dutch flexed their muscles in the bottom of the same inning and scored thrice on two singles and a wild pitch.

Keegan Piternella was the best hitter for the Dutch as he went 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Winning pitcher was Otis Ward, who pitched 4.2 innings in relief. Otis gave up three runs (one earned) on five hits and struck out five. Colin Broers, who was replaced by Ward, pitched 2.1 innings in which he gave up one run on four hits and a walk and struck out six.