In Ostrava offense continued to dominate the headlines. In the morning Croatia got its first win with a 10-3 victory over Russia. Ivan Racic and Andrija Tomic connected for home runs in the fourth to highlight a six-run rally. They combined for seven RBI overall. Jimmy Summers meanwhile threw a complete game, allowing three unearned runs on six hits and four walks. Denis Leonov got charged with the loss.
In the afternoon the Czech Republic clubbed Greece 17-2 in six innings. Six runs in the second and five in the fifth blew the score wide open. Matej Hejma, Petr Cech and Jakub Sladek hit home runs and drove in three runs apiece. Martin Schneider went 4-for-4, playing shortstop. Petr Minarik gave up two runs on six hits in six innings to pick up the win.
In the evening the two undefeated teams from Spain and the Netherlands met for a highly entertaining slugfest. Spain was the first squad to make noise, as Fernando Martinez, Jesus Golindano and Blake Ochoa connected for three home runs in the first three innings against Orlando Yntema en route to a 7-1 lead. However the Dutch team flexed its muscles and answered with six runs apiece in the fourth and the sixth to prevail 19-7 in seven innings. Yurendell de Caster hit a grand slam. He drove in five. Randolph Oduber went 5-for-5 with two solo home runs and five runs scored. Gianision Boekhoudt also went deep. Tom Stuifbergen picked up the win.
The Netherlands, Spain and the Czech Republic are qualified for the second round. The Dutch team has earned the number one seed and will advance with a 2-0 record. Spain and the Czech Republic will play for second place in Group B on Tuesday afternoon. In the morning Greece and Croatia face each other. In the evening the Netherlands conclude first-round play in Ostrava against Russia.
Standings:
1) Netherlands 4-0
2) Spain 3-1
2) Czech Republic 3-1
4) Croatia 1-3
5) Russia 1-3
6) Greece 0-4
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