The Dutch team overcame a 0-2 deficit and took the lead in the top of the ninth, but could not hold the advantage, as Australia rallied in the bottom of the same frame to win 4-3. Both teams now have one victory in their books and everything is still possible.
The Australian fans were shocked as the Netherlands gained an advantage in the last inning. But they answered right away. Brad HARMAN led off with a single into center field. Pinch Hitter Gavin FINGLESON followed with a ground ball to second baseman Michael DUURSMA, who threw the ball away for an error. HARMAN advanced to third. He tied the game through a sacrifice fly by Luke HUGHES. FINGELSON advanced on the throw home to second base. The next batter was the hot Trent OELTJEN, who decided the match up with walk off RBI-double of the wall in right-center-field.
After tying the duel in the sixth period, the Dutch scored their third run in the top of the ninth. Railey LEGITO had opened the frame with a single, advanced to third on a wild pitch and a single by Sidney DE JONG. LEGITO reached home through a groundball single into center field by Vince ROOI.
Australia had started strong and scored the first run right at the beginning of the ballgame. OELTJEN had led off the frame with a triple to the left field wall and scored on a double by Glenn WILLIAMS. OELTJEN scored again in the fifth through a RBI-double by Ben RISINGER. But the Dutch team came back and tied the game in the top of the sixth through a two-run-single by Hainley STATIA. Dirk VAN’T KLOOSTER and DUURSMA had reached base and scored.
Travis BLACKLEY started for the Aussies. The proven major league pitcher of the San Francisco Giants allowed five hits, two runs (1 ER) and one walk in 5 1/3 innings. Brad THOMAS, who blew the save yesterday and allowed another run today, received the win.
Leon BOYD pitched six-plus innings for the Netherlands. He gave up two runs on five hits and two walks. He struck out four. Loek VAN MIL replaced him and threw two scoreless frames. Closer Michiel VAN KAMPEN took the loss after giving up two runs on two hits in the ninth.
AUS 100 010 002 4 7 1
