USA – Chinese Taipei 4-1
Team USA defeated Chinese Taipei 4-1 in the afternoon semi-final on Saturday to reach the title game at the Haarlemse Honkbalweek at Pim Mulier Stadium. Tate Matheny scored on an error in the fourth to break a 1-1 tie. Another error in the seventh on a stolen base attempt and a RBI double by Christin Stewart added some insurance.
This was not needed as Carson Fulmer, AJ Minter, Thomas Eshelman and Ryan Burr issued just five hits and three walks through nine otherwise dominant innings. Jhih Long Yang took the loss, surrendering six hits, two runs (1 ER) and three base on balls in 4 1/3 frames.
Japan – Netherlands 2-1
The second semi-final in the evening offered a little bit more drama. Japan edged out the Dutch National Team 2-1 thanks to a tenth-inning run by Eigoro Mogi on a RBI single by Takuya Sato. The Netherlands had failed to score in the top of the first extra-inning, when Bas de Jong got thrown out at third after a bunt of Vince Rooi. A flyout and a strikeout followed, as they couldn’t take advantage of IBAF’s Extra-Inning Rule.
Japan had taken a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. A sac bunt by Shuhei Fukada pushed Sho Azegami over the plate, who had reached with a single and moved to third through a double. A RBI fielder’s choice by Steen van der Meer in the top of the third provided the tying run right away. Kevin Mosquit scored.
The game was a classic pitcher’s duel. Rob Cordemans threw seven strong innings, conceding three hits, a run and three walks. David Bergman relieved him in the eighth, but eventually had to take the loss. Seigi Tanaka gave up only three hits, an unearned run and a walk in nine strong innings. He struck out 12. Yusuaki Yamasaki took over in the tenth and got the win.