Venue II, Viera, Florida
22-08-2018 – 19:30 Local time

After being delayed for multiple time, the game finally started an hour and half later than planned.
Despite being plagued by bad weather, we didn’t give way during the start of the game. Starter Loes Asmus began the game spectacularly, three up, three down including a strike-out.
In the top of the first, the Dutch team started of strong. Famke Gildemacher was of great importance in the first inning. Via a single both Winke Verdick and Isabelle Markies scored. South Korea wasn’t able to deal any damage on Asmus’ pitching the second to which the Dutch were able to take the lead 0-5.

The third inning proved to be a bit more challenging for the Dutch team. A couple defensive errors on the Dutch field, gave South Korea a fighting chance bringing the score back to 3-5. Unfortunately the Netherlands wasn’t able to keep the momentum going, and ended the inning with three batters up, three down.
In the fourth pitcher Asmus gained control of the game and ended the inning strong, three strike-outs and a walk. The Netherlands scored once in bottom four, Esther Maliepaard could score after stealing third and a bad throw by the catcher.

The South Korean opponent started the fifth strong. As starting pitcher Asmus seemingly had more difficulty finding the strike-zone because of fatigue. Because of this, South Korea was able to reach base twice due to walks. Hyeryeon Won singled for a run, breaking Asmus’ ongoing no-hitter. A fielder’s choice assured the second run for the Korean team. Pitcher Asmus came back strong and finished the inning with a strike-out looking.
The Dutch ladies were able to acquire a few points due to errors and a wild pitch. This brought Dutch players, Jessica Kroeskop and Winke Verdick home. Extending the Dutch lead by three points.

Berber Jansen took over pitching in the sixth for starter Asmus. Jansen had trouble finding the zone and South Korea capitalized the opportunity, and scored once. The South Korean team hit a single and had three walks on Jansen’s pitching (4 batter, no outs). Reliever Anouk Vergunst took over from Jansen, in hopes of turning things around. Like Jansen, Vergunst had difficulty trying the find the strike-zone. She started the inning with a walk. Because of this, South Korea was able to score their second run of the inning. Then Vergunst struck out Hyeryeon with only four pitches, looking.

The Korean opponent took advantage of the growing unrest in the Dutch defense. Bitna Lee singled up the middle, bringing Shin over the home plate to bring the score to 7-8.
The tying run scored because of another single and a wild pitch brought in the winning run for South Korea. After a brief mound visit, Vergunst was relieved by pitcher Maud Werkman. Werkman made quick work of the South Korean batters, striking out the first and ended the inning with a fly-out to right field.

In the seventh and final inning the Dutch had a chance to score. The bases were loaded, Maaike Haak, Famke Gildemacher and Sofie van de Wiel all reached base with only one down. Unfortunately proved Rakyung Kim too strong and she finished the inning with two strikeouts.
Causing the Dutch team to take their first loss 9-8 after a three and a half hour thriller.

Box score:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
South Korea 0 0 3 0 2 4 0 9 4 7
Netherlands 2 3 0 1 2 0 0 8 8 4

Win: Rakyung Kim
Loss: Berber Jansen

Pitchers South Korea
Heejin Kim (3+1 batter): 5-3-7-1
Hyeli Kim (1/3+3 batters): 1-1-0-2
Rakyung Kim (3 2/3): 6-4-1-4

Pitchers Netherlands
Loes Asmus (5): 8-5-1-4
Berber Jansen (4 batters): 0-2-2-0
Anouk Vergunst (1/3+1 batter): 1-1-1-0
Maud Werkman (1 2/3): 3-1-0-0

To see the entire photoalbum, follow the link below.

Full album at Dropbox