Japan – Chinese Taipei 2-0
The second day at the Haarlemse Honkbalweek at Pim Mulier Stadium started with a 2-0 shutout of Japan over Chinese Taipei on Saturday afternoon. A two-run triple by Nakamura in the bottom of the eighth made the difference in front of a good crowd, which started at estimated 2,000 and grew to a full capacity of 3,000 by the end of the match.
Tomohiro Hamada and Yusuaki Yamasaki combined to keep CT to four hits and two walks in nine scoreless innings. Chinese Taipei’s starter Jhih Long Yang matched the Japanese hurlers, but the bullpen gave away the win. Nakamura logically received the MVP of the match honors.
Netherlands – USA 0-3
Team USA welcomed the Netherlands in front a full crowd at Pim Mulier Stadium with a no-hitter into the 27th Haarlem Baseball Week on Saturday evening. Carson Fulmer, Tyler Jay, Dillon Tate and Ryan Burr were throwing up to 97 MPH and paced the American squad to a 3-0 shutout. The only blemishes were a pair of walks and a hit batter. It is the third no-hitter in tournament history.
However it nearly was not enough, as Rob Cordemans couldn’t match the no-no, but the scoreless outing. He issued just three hits in eight innings. But when he made room for Kevin Kelly, the United States took advantage. A RBI single by Bregman and a two-run single by Matheny in the top of the ninth broke up the scoreless tie and gave the college kids a 3-0 win.
The four American pitchers shared MVP of the Game honors. Team USA consists of 24 college players between 19 (six players) and 20 years old (18 players). The Dutch roster has 22 players from Hoofdklasse clubs, one from the German Baseball-Bundesliga and won from Curacao.
The Haarlem Baseball Week continues on Sunday afternoon with a meeting between Chinese Taipei and the Netherlands. You can follow live at www.honkbalweek.nl.