by Pim van Nes
After two rainy days in Haarlem, the first game in Holland Series was realized to-day in Amsterdam, where the youngest ceremonial first pitch invitee Rick van den Hurk repeated his interest in homeland baseball. National broadcasting system NOS recorded the game for a summary in the evening. Defending champion Corendon Kinheim took an early lead in the second inning, the second lead in the game was for L&D Amsterdam in the seventh inning: 3-2, but the home team had to score again in the eighth to win the game: 4-3. On Sunday the second game will start at 13:30 h in order to enable direct TV coverage by NOS.
Designated hitter Bryan Engelhardt managed a leadoff walk in the second and he scored the first run for Kinheim on a double by Roel Koolen, who scored minutes later thanks to Jeffrey Verbij’s single: 0-2. This was the only inning Amsterdam starter Jos de Jong had to concede two hits. In his seven innings he totalized only three hits and he saw his batters bring his team back in the game in the fourth inning to tie it at 2-2. Regular season winner Kinheim could not stop the Amsterdam Pirates anymore and alike last Sunday in Rotterdam, Amsterdam won the game with a smart squeeze play. Kenny Berkenbosch reached home plate upon Maikel Benner’s sac bunt to make it 4-3.
Things seemed to go wrong early for Amsterdam, when catcher and slugger Sidney de Jong got injured in the second inning, but as a catcher he was replaced by reputed Maikel Benner and as a slugger by Remco Draijer. This stand-up outfielder bunted, singled and doubled in his three at-bats, scoring the first run for Amsterdam in the fourth and driving in the first lead for Amsterdam in the seventh inning. David Bergman, the Haarlem pitcher wanted by Italian championship winner San Marino, allowed nine hits during his six-plus innings, but the losing pitcher for Kinheim was closer Michiel van Kampen.
Winning pitcher for Amsterdam was middle reliever Nick Stuifbergen, but most impressive was his starter Jos de Jong thanks to his five of seven hitless innings. The save for the Amsterdam victory was picked up by closer Pim Walsma, who struck out two in the ninth inning when Amsterdam was leading 4-3. Best hitter for Amsterdam was substitute Remco Draijer with a 3-for-3 performance, a run and an RBI. Also Australian third baseman Ryan Murphy had three hits, but to no further avail and grounded out once. Tomorrow afternoon in Haarlem, Kinheim’s left-handed starter Patrick Beljaards may try to stop the winning streak by Amsterdam in the playoffs since the last two victories over Neptunus.
Results:
L&D Amsterdam Pirates – Corendon Kinheim 4-3
Schedule Holland Series:
Sunday, October 5:
13:30 Corendon Kinheim – L&D Amsterdam Pirates (live at NOS)
Monday, October 6:
19:45 Corendon Kinheim – L&D Amsterdam Pirates
Saturday, October 11:
14:00 L&D Amsterdam Pirates – Corendon Kinheim*
Sunday, October 12:
14:00 Corendon Kinheim – L&D Amsterdam Pirates*
*if necessary
Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
www.honkbalsite.com
www.sporttribune.nl
www.baseball.it
Pingback by Highlights of L&D Amsterdam versus Corendon Kinheim - News - Dutch Baseball Leagues, Videos - Mister Baseball
October 5, 2008 | 11:01 am
[...] This clip shows the most important scenes of the match. For more details on the game read the report by Pim van Nes. Game two of the best-of-five series is scheduled for today at 13:30 [...]
Pingback by Holland Series stopped again on Sunday due to Rain - News - Dutch Baseball Leagues - Mister Baseball
October 5, 2008 | 2:44 pm
[...] L&D Amsterdam Pirates – Corendon Kinheim 4-3 Recap [...]
Pingback by myworldofbaseball » Blog Archive » Netherlands Championship
October 5, 2008 | 5:53 pm
[...] you want to read a report about the opening game you can go to http://www.mister-baseball.com/rainy-days-surprise-win-holland-series/. After two rain outs they finally got to play their opening day game in Amsterdam and those [...]