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Premier12, First Round, Pool A: Netherlands – Puerto Rico 11-7
Puerto Rico 001 001 320 7 12 0 Netherlands 260 010 02X 11 16 0
The Netherlands scored eight runs in the first two innings on Saturday afternoon at Intercontinental Stadium in Taichung on their way to an 11-7 win over Puerto Rico and into the quarterfinals of the inaugural Premier12. It was their third win in four games during the first round. Puerto Rico dropped to 1-3 overall.
Randolph Oduber with a two-run home run, as well as Shawn Zarraga and Hainley Statia had two RBI apiece in the first two frames, which was highlighted by a six-run rally in the second. Oduber hit another home run in the fifth for a 9-1 score. Afterwards Puerto Rico was able to rally, cutting the deficit eventually to two runs. But a two-run single by Zarraga in the eighth provided some insurance and sealed the win.
Zarraga and Oduber combined for five hits and seven RBI. Curt Smith and Wladimir Balentien scored twice. Juan Medina hit a solo home run and drove in two with a single for Puerto Rico. Luis Rivera had a two-run double.
On the mound Shairon Martis conceded three hits, a run and a walk in five innings for the win. He struck out five. Orlando Yntema, Jim Ploeger, Wendel Floranus, Bayron Cornelisse and Loek van Mil followed him for the Dutch team. Fernando Gonzalez got charged with the loss, surrendering four hits, four runs and three base on balls in one-plus innings.
The Netherlands will conclude first-round play on Sunday evening with a matchup against Canada at Intercontinental Stadium in Taichung. Puerto Rico takes on Chinese Taipei in the afternoon game at that ballpark.