The Netherlands are ready to go for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. The team of manager Hensley Meulens closed out its exhibition schedule with a 4-1 victory over a University All-Star team at Douliu Stadium in the southwest of Taichung. Wladimir Balentien hit another home run and scored two of the four runs. He collected three hits overall. Shairon Martis got the start, followed by Jonatan Isenia, Kevin Heijstek, Jonathan Balentina, Berry van Driel, Mark Pawelek and Leon Boyd.
Preparation for the 2013 World Baseball Classic will end for the Dutch national team on Friday with a final practice at Intercontinental Stadium in Taichung. On Saturday they will open the first round with a game against Olympic champion and 2009 WBC’s finalist Korea. The Netherlands finished their warm-up schedule with an 8-2 record, which was highlighted by a 5-0 shutout over record world title holder Cuba. Chinese Taipei and Australia also will be opponents in the first round pool in Taichung.