The Netherlands finish in ninth place at the World Junior AAA Championship in Edmonton, Canada, after beating Italy 8:4 on Saturday. In the semi-finals the teams from the USA and Korea came through and advanced into the final on Sunday.
Semi-Finals
Australia scored first through Sean Williams, but the American squad answered with RBI singles by Nick Franklin, Jeff Malm and Andrew Aplin to win 3-1 and reach the final. Jacob Turner struck out twelve in seven strong innings, allowing just four hits, an unearned run and a walk. Jake Barrett picked up the save with four strikeouts in the last two periods. Adam Spencer gave up eight hits, three runs and a base on balls in 5 1/3 innings to take the loss.
Title defender Korea defeated Cuba 6-1 on Saturday behind Young Suk Jang’s three RBI to clinch a final berth against the USA. Chihong An scored twice. Cuba avoided the shutout, when E. Arruebarruena scored in the ninth. Mingyu Park struck out twelve in a complete game. He allowed just one run on four hits. Joan Socarras gave up six hits, six runs (4 ER) and four bb in 7 1/3 innings.
Consolation Round
The Netherlands won the duel with European rival Italy and finishes in ninth in the final standings of the tournament. The outcome was decided in the bottom of the sixth, when they regained the lead with a run. One frame later they sealed the 8-4 victory with three insurance runs. Italy had tied the contest through runs in the fifth and sixth. Kevin Weygstre went three-for-four with a run and a RBI. Aschwin Rokx scored twice. Francesco Cozzolino had four hits for the Azzurri. Nials Hasteveld started for the Dutch, allowing six hits, four runs (2 ER) and a walk in 5 1/3 innings. Valerio Simone pitched two-plus innings, giving up two runs on five hits and three bb in his start for Italy. Jersoen De Haas received the win, Andrea Pizziconi the loss.
The Czech Republic finally won a game in the event, defeating Russia 8-1 to avoid finishing last in the standings. Mates Hejma and Jakub Sladek homered and drove in a combined four runs. Michal Czyz scored three times. David Diblik allowed three hits and two walks in six innings to get the win. Alexander Khudyakov was charged with nine hits, five runs (4 ER) and a bb in six innings. It was his third loss this week.
Results:
Semi-Finals:
USA – Australia 3-1 Box score
Cuba – Korea 1-6 Box score
For fifth to eighth place:
Mexico – Taiwan 0-1 Box score
Canada – Puerto Rico Box score
For ninth place:
Netherlands – Italy 8-4 Box score
For eleventh place:
Czech Republic – Russia 8-1 Box score
