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Day 3: Dutch open with shutout-loss
SENDAI (Japan) - The Dutch Olympic Softball Team started the Tri-Nations Exhibition Matches, as is the series of games being played these days officially being called, with a 5-0 shutout-loss vs. Canada. The Dutch lacked offensive power today and managed to register only one basehit. Canada on the other hand produced seven basehits, including two homeruns and struck early on this clouded day in Sendai.
In the first inning, Melanie Matthews led off with a double off Dutch starter Judith van Kampen, then Erin McLean followed with a 2-run homerun.
Next, Jen Yee walked and stole second base, but then Dutch 3B Noémi Boekel made a great catch, hanging over the fence of foul territory. A flyout in rightfield followed, which enabled Yee to move to third base and she then scored on an infield-hit by Alisson Bradley.
After an one-two-three second inning, Canada added an unearned run in the third.
Erin McLean led off with a single, then reached third base when a throwing error was made on a force play-grounder by Jen Yee.
3B Noémi Boekel then again made two fine catches on foul territory, but Allison Bradley followed once more with an RBI-single to make it 4-0.
The fourth Canadian inning saw some fine Dutch defensive plays.
First, 3B Noémi Boekel made a great play on a grounder by Erin Cumpstone, then centerfielder Saskia Kosterink caught a line drive by Noémie Marin, followed by a nice play by 2B Petra van Heijst to retire Melanie Matthews.
In the fifth, Judith van Kampen got two quick outs on a strikeout and grounder to 1B Kim Kluijskens, but then Jennifer Salling followed with a homerun to left-centerfield, increasing the lead to 5-0.
Later in the inning, Canada stranded two runners, as they did in the sixth.
The Dutch offense couldn't come through off Canadian starter Lauren Regular, who pitched five solid innings, striking out seven and giving up no hits.
After retiring the first nine batters in a row, Ellen Venker walked to lead to fourth, then Noémi Boekel reached on an error with one out, but Regula followed with two strikeouts.
In the fifth, Jolanda Kroesen walked with one out, but also stranded.
Despite throwing a No-Hitter, Robin Macking took over the pitching in the sixth for Lauren Regula and then the no-hit bid ended.
Ellen Venker's slap-hit ended in front of the plate, with catcher Erin Cumpstone hoping the ball rolled foul, but as that didn't happen, Ellen ended up at first base with an infield-hit.
But with one out, she was eliminated in an inning-ending double play.
In the seventh (when it started to rain a little), Kim Kluijskens led off with a walk, but was left behind on second base.
On Saturday, the Dutch Team faces host Japan in the Sendai Municipal Baseball Stadium. The 3-day event ends on Sunday with the game between Japan and Canada.
Box Score Game vs. Canada
Dutch batting practice before the game
Tonight's Umpire Crew:
Mithutake Ariyama (2B), Keitoku Chiba (HP), Nobuhiro Endo (3B) and Haruhi Goto (1B).
The umpires check the Dutch bats and helmets
Young softball-fans are looking on from the stands
A look into the Dutch dug-out
Dutch Head Coach Liz Kelly hits a grounder towards an infielder
And Coach Rob Walgien hits a fly to an outfielder
Head Coach Liz Kelly goes over the last details
Dutch Federation President Ruud van Zetten has his thumbs up for the Dutch Softball Team
The KNBSB-Chairman arrived earlier in the day in Sendai with his wife Rienette
Dutch Business Manager Caroline Theunissen represents the Dutch coaching at the umpire's meeting
The Dutch Team lines up after introductions...
...and listens to the (correct) national anthem
(after the first tones of the Norwegian anthem were first being played)
The ceremonial first pitch is being thrown by Rie Akimura from Miyagi Daiichi High School
Dutch catcher Ellen Venker is the batter
On the immense scoreboard in centerfield, the line-ups are displayed
On the left the Canadian players, on the right the Dutch players
By the way, only the first names of the players are listed on the board
Dutch centerfielder Saskia Kosterink takes her position
Dutch pitcher Judith van Kampen throws to a Canadian batter
On the right are SS Sandra Gouverneur and 3B Noémi Boekel
Go back to the schedule of the Japan Tour
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