One day before the big opening match at the Premier12 between Japan and South Korea at the Sapporo Dome, Italy and the Netherlands lost their last two exhibitions.
One day after defeating Venezuela 4-3, the Squadra Azzurri lost 2-6 against Mexico. Mexico took a 1-0 lead in the second and continued to score, taking a 6-1 lead at one point in the game. Italy scored twice thanks to Alessandro Vaglio. The game once again was played at Dou-Liou south of Taichung. Italy opens the tournament on Tuesday against Puerto Rico at Intercontinental Stadium in Taichung.
The Netherlands will have its first game at the Premier12 on Monday with the Taiwan opener against Chinese Taipei also at Intercontinental Stadium. At Tienmu Stadium in Taipei City the Dutch team lost 3-5 against the Dominican Republic. An early three-run home run decided the game. Dwayne Kemp drove in two for the Netherlands with a two-run double.