The first round in the Dutch Hoofdklasse round-robin semi-finals is in the books. DOOR Neptunus and the Vaessen Pioniers are in front with 2-1 records. On Sunday L&D Amsterdam avoided a sweep against Neptunus with an 11-4 victory. Michael Duursma went 4-for-5 with four RBI. Bas de Jong also had four hits. Bas Nooij and Wesley Connor scored three runs apiece. Kevin Heijstek allowed three runs on nine hits in 7 1/3 innings to pick up the win against his former club. Tim Roodenburg took the loss, conceding seven hits, seven runs (5 ER) and two walks in 3 1/3 frames.
The Vaessen Pioniers defeated Corendon Kinheim 5-4. A throwing error and a RBI single by Dé Flanegin in the top of the seventh broke a 3-3 tie and gave the team from Hoofddorp the lead. Mervin Gario homered in the bottom of the ninth to cut the deficit to a run for Kinheim, but wasn’t able to come back. Mark Duursma drove in two for the Pioniers. Dennis Buring issued three hits, a run and three base on balls in 5 1/3 innings for the win. Jean Paul Gulinck gave up two unearned runs on four hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings, getting charged with the loss.