Venue II, Viera, Florida
Game start: 09:00 local time

 

The Netherlands started the game with a new aggressiveness. Lead-off hitter Esther Maliepaard opened the game with a single to the right side of the field. After two stolen bases (second, third) she was able to reach third base. Winke Verdick, the next in the line-up brought Maliepaard home on a base-hit down the left field line. Third basewomen Famke Gildemacher was the first out of the inning when her ball was caught by the right-fielder. Verdick eventually got caught stealing after having a go at second for the second out. Besides Maliepaard and Verdick, Marije Filius also reached base after an infield-hit. The third out of the inning was made from the second basewomen to the short stop. Bringing the Netherlands to a 1-0 lead.

Marc Neville coaching at first base.

Tsz Chin Lau started at bat for Hong Kong, but only after three pitches (1 strike, 2 balls) by Loes Asmus the game was paused, due to lightning. After approximately two hours and 50 minutes, the game was resumed as the all clear signal was given.

Loes Asmus continued pitching for the Netherlands. Hong Kong opened with a deep fly ball over the left-fielder’s head. Hong Kong was able to tie the game, after a well-executed bunt, followed by a single to bring in the run. Asmus got out of the inning after that, but allowed one run to score.

 

In the second inning, Hong Kong was able to get out of the inning with three quick outs. Yik Shan Hung’s field made two catches and fielded a grounder for an out to end the Dutch at-bat.

 

In the bottom of the second Hong Kong was able to bring in another two runs. A fielder’s choice and a single allowed Hong Kong to steal second in order to get two runners in scorings-position. An error made by Netherlands first-base Esther Maliepaard made it possible for Hong Kong to score two, and  take the lead, 1-3.

Lotte Tanke takes a ball.

In the third, Maliepaard was the only one to reach base for the Netherlands. Lotte Tanke, Winke Verdick and Famke Gildemacher went down for an out, thus ending the inning for the Dutch.

Hong Kong was able to bring another run in, in the third. Extending their lead over the Dutch by three, taking the score to 1-4. The first two batters were walked, a fly-out in right-field and a bad throw to third was all that was needed for Hong Kong to take third base. The runner at third was able to score when the Netherlands’ short stop fumbled the ball and failed to make the third out at first.

 

From that point onward, the fourth, fifth and sixth inning the game became a pitcher’s duel. As neither pitcher (Asmus, Hung) allowed the other team to make it past third. Thus keeping the score firmly at 1-4 for Hong Kong.

Isabelle Markies called save on a failed pickoff.

In the seventh inning Sofie van de Wiel started for the Netherlands. She however, was caught out by the catcher in fair territory. Isabelle Markies took a hit-by-pitch and reached first base. A single, hit by Jessica Kroeskop and an error by Hong Kong’s third base allowed Nadja Roelofsen to get on base, loading the bases for the Netherlands. Hong Kong was able to shut the door on the Netherlands, as pitcher Hung struck out two batters to claim their second win of the tournament.

Box score:

          1 2 3 4 5 6 7  R H E
NEDERLAND 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1 6 6
HONG KONG 1 2 1 0 0 0 X  4 4 1

Win: Yik Shan Hung
Loss: Loes Asmus

Pitchers Nederland:
Loes Asmus (7 inningen)

Pitchers Hong Kong:
Yik Shan Hung (7 inningen)