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Day 22: What a beautiful noise
KANEOHE (Hawaii, USA) - Yogi Berra, the legendary catcher of the New York Yankees, also said ''It Ain't Over 'Till It's Over'' and today, that statement was underscored once more, as the Dutch National Softball Team on Wednesday came back from a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 vs. Point Loma Nazarene University, thanks to a grand slam homerun by Jolanda Kroesen in the sixth inning. What a beautiful noise! But what was the beautiful noise? The crack of the bat delivering the grand slam or the sudden silence in the noisy Point Loma dug-out after Jolanda's shot to leftfield? You make the choice.
After completion of the game, the team had some hours off and were able to visit the North Shore of Oahu Island to have a look at the magnificent big waves and its surfers, who ride them. Hereafter, the team went to Waimea Falls to have a look at the waterfall of that name.
Warming-up before the game
Box Score vs. Point Loma Nazarene University
Today's opponent were the Sea Lions, the team of Point Loma Nazarene University from San Diego. On Tuesday, the Sea Lions had played a double-header against Hawaii Pacific University, the only team which was able to hand the team a loss. Point Loma lost both games, 3-2 and 2-1. Tomorrow, the Sea Lions will play against Chaminade University, before the team travels back to San Diego on Friday. Point Loma Nazarene University has a Dutch link, as Dutch pitcher Miranda van der Voort, who played in the Dutch big league and the Dutch National Team, pitched for them in 2002 and 2003. ,,It was great to work with her, she was a good pitcher for us'', Head Coach Dave Williams stated.
Starting Pitcher Anouk Mels, who pitched five innings.
Baserunners Petra van Heijst at first and Marloes Fellinger
at second base in the fourth inning
In today's game, the Dutch team initially didn't got the break to score runs, leaving four runners in the first four innings.
In the second inning, Nathalie Timmermans, who was de Designated Player today, led off with a double into centerfield, then her pinch-runner Dana Horeman advanced on a sac-bunt by next batter Sandra Gouverneur. A hard line drive by Jolanda Kroesen was then caught by pitcher Melissa Gomez, which was her second, as she also caught a hard comeback line drive by Marloes Fellinger to end the first Dutch at bat. Dana stranded on third base, as a groundout ended the second inning.
In the fourth inning, off new pitcher Kika Wommer, the Dutch team got the bases loaded with one out, but was unable to score.
With one out, Marloes Fellinger walked, then everyone was safe when an error was made on a grounder by next batter Nathalie Timmermans, who was replaced by pinch-runner Petra van Heijst. The bases were then loaded on a single by Sandra Gouverneur, but again the Dutch had no luck, as an infield-fly and strikeout followed.
Winning Pitcher Judith van Kampen
After leaving two runners in the first inning, Point Loma got on the board first in the third at bat in which things didn't ran well for the Dutch defense.
Donie Thomas and Amanda Addie led off with singles, then the first scored when an error followed a single by Erica Ricker.
The second run was then scored when Melissa Gomez delivered the fourth consecutive single.
With runners on first and third, a steal-situation resulted in the third Point Loma-run, but then Dutch starter Anouk Mels recovered.
She got three outs in a row to end the inning, then retired six of the next seven batters. After the single by Gomez, Anouk retired eight batters in a row.
In the sixth inning, Judith van Kampen took over and eventually became the winning pitcher, raising her record to 4-0 during the American Tour.
Judith retired six of the seven batters she faced, including two on a strikeout.
Jolanda Kroesen hits a grand slam homerun in the sixth inning
Jolanda Kroesen is greeted after her game-deciding grand slam
The Dutch team turned the game in its favor in the sixth inning off new pitcher Tyler Lent.
With one out, Marloes Fellinger walked, as did Nathalie Timmermans, who was replaced again by pinch-runner Dana Horeman.
Next, Sandra Gouverneur (who was 2-for-2) hit an infield-hit off pitcher Lent, making the ball change directions and enable Sandra to reach first base.
Hereafter, Jolanda Kroesen drove the ball into leftfield and while leftfielder Amanda Addie made an attempting leap to catch the ball, it went over the fence for a grand slam homerun, the first-ever in the career of Jolanda.
After next batter Noémi Boekel also walked, a pitching change folllowed, but the damage had been done, as the Dutch team was leading 4-3.
Point Loma was unable to come back, as Judith van Kampen retired the side in the seventh to seal the victory.
Watching the big waves at the North Shore of Oahu Island
SUNSET BEACH / WAIMEA VALLEY (Hawaii, USA) - After the game, the Dutch Team toured Oahu Island again, this time going north to have a look at the wonderful big waves, which are known by surfers all around the world. Some huge waves were visible, which were photographed by the players and were being conquered by surfers.
The road on the coastal line of Oahu was again amazing, not only because of the waves, the beaches, but also the wonderful nature.
Next, it was off to the Waimea Valley, where the players and staff got the opportunity to experience Hawaiian culture. Here, we encountered historical, botanical and ecological wonders, while walking through Waimea Valley, which was long revered as a sacred site to Native Hawaiians. We got a view of several plants and animals, such a proud peacocks walking around, but also birds and the Waimea Waterfalls.
Hereafter, it was back to Honolulu, have dinner, then back to the hotel for an early sleep, as breakfast is scheduled for 6:55 AM on Thursday-morning. It will then be off to the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium to play the first two games of the five which will be played during the upcoming tournament at the University of Hawaii.
Players made lots of photos of the waves and the surfers riding them
Daisy de Peinder, Anouk Mels, Marloes Fellinger
and Kristi de Vries in front of the Pacific Ocean Waves
A Hawaiian surfer rides one of the big waves at Sunset Beach
Anouk Mels, Lynn Geertman, Media Officer Marco Stoovelaar, Nina van Huissteden,
Jolanda Kroesen, Kristi de Vries, Marloes Fellinger and Dana Horeman
(photo taken by Judith van Kampen)
Dagmar Bloeming, Dana Horeman, Petra van Heijst
and Nina van Huissteden. The Terrasvogels-players in the Dutch team
The Sparks Haarlem-players in the Dutch squad:
Rebecca Soumeru, Chantal Versluis, Kim Kluijskens, Judith van Kampen,
Jolanda Kroesen, Saskia Kosterink, Noémi Boekel, Marloes Fellinger,
Kristi de Vries, Lynn Geertman and Nathalie Timmermans (front)
The scenery in Waimea Valley
Players and staff walk towards the Waimea Falls
The Waimea Falls
The team poses in front of Waimea Falls
(photo taken by an American tourist)
Coach Linda Wells and Head Coach Liz Kelly in front of Waimea Falls
The cruiseship Pride of Aloha in the Hononlulu Harbor
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