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Dutch Team shutout by USA, but clinches Play-Offs!
 Nederlandse tekst
WHITEHORSE, Yukon (Canada) -
The Dutch National Softball Team on Wednesday, July 18, clinched a spot in the Play-Offs of the World Championship.
With its four wins, the Dutch Team already was close to clinching the Play-Offs, but due to a combination of results of other games on Wednesday, the Orange knew it secured a spot in the Play-Offs before facing Team USA in the late afternoon.
The USA had to work hard against the Orange, just as in Oklahoma City a few weeks ago, and led only 1-0 after five innings.
A homerun then helped Team USA to win 4-0.
The Dutch Team faces Puerto Rico in its last game of the preliminary round on Thursday.
All 66 games from the ISF XIII Women’s World Championship will be webstreamed live.
Games will be recorded and archived for on-demand viewing as well.
The games can be viewed on www.sportscanada.tv.
After a rainy day on Tuesday, it was a nice, bright a sunny day today.
The day started early for some teams, including the USA, as the two late-night games that rained out on Tuesday-evening were made up this morning.
In the game against the USA, it was the American squad that threatened to open the score right away in the first at bat, but the Dutch defense prevented that.
Starter Rebecca Soumeru gave up a lead-off single to Michelle Moultrie, who then stole second base.
Next batter Stacy May-Johnson was hit by a pitch.
The two runners advanced on a sac-bunt and so, the Americans had two runners in scoring position early in the game.
But then Moultrie was eliminated in a rundown when Kaitlin Cochran grounded to Rebecca.
It was then opted to walk Valerie Arioto intentionally to load the bases and set up a force play.
But it was Rebecca who finished the inning herself by striking out Samantha Fischer.
In both the second and third inning, an American batter lined out to 3B Virginie Anneveld.
Also in the third, Michelle Moultrie led off with a single, but was caught stealing.
The Americans then opened the score in the fourth at bat.
Kaitlin Cochran led off with a single and moved on a following single by Valerie Arioto.
Hereafter, Samantha Fischer drove the ball into leftfield where Nathalie Gosewehr made the catch just in front of the fence.
Next batter Amanda Chidester then also drove the ball into deep leftfield, but again, Nathalie caught it in front of the fence, but this time Cochran was able to advance to third base.
A single by Ashley Holcombe then enabled Cochran to score and put the USA ahead, 1-0.
The Dutch Team reached base only twice in the first four innings.
In the second inning, Merel Oosterveld walked with two outs, but was caught stealing.
In the fourth, Nathalie Gosewehr led off with the first basehit off of starter Jordan Taylor, who struckout seven Dutch batters.
Nathalie stranded, as three outs followed.
In the fifth, Merel Oosterveld singled with one out, which led to a pitching change and Jackie Traina was brought in as reliever.
She finished the inning and so Merel stranded on first base.
In the home of the fifth, Lindsey Meadows took over the pitching for the Dutch.
She hit lead-off hitter Michelle Moultrie, but the speedy runner was then caught stealing for the second time.
Lindsey then struckout the next two batters to end the inning.
And so, the score was only 1-0 in American favor after five complete innings.
In the top of the sixth, Meike Witteveen singled with two outs, but was left behind.
Team USA then finally was able to take some more distance against the tough Dutch squad in the home of the sixth inning.
With one out, Valerie Arioto walked and Samantha Fischer singled, then Amanda Chidester followed with a 3-run homerun to make it 4-0.
In the seventh inning, Saskia Kosterink led off with a single.
Rightfielder Kaitlin Cochran made a diving catching attempt, but had no control of the ball.
Moments later, Saskia moved into scoring position on a grounder by Virginie Anneveld.
But then a strikeout and groundout ended the game in which the Dutch Team fought a great battle, despite hitting only four basehits.
Box Score USA vs. Netherlands
Complete Schedule World Championship in Whitehorse
After two rainy days, today was very nice with a blue sky and lots of sun
Head Coach Craig Montvidas hits grounders to 1B Anne Blaauwgeers
The players have fun before the start of the game
Head Coaches Craig Montvidas and Ken Eriksen hand their line-ups to Australian HP Umpire Debbie Grove
Starting pitcher Rebecca Soumeru is introduced
The teams line up during introductions...
...then exchange gifts
Rebecca Soumeru delivers in the first inning; Standing in the back is 3B Umpire Nicola Ogier
USA's Michelle Moultrie leads off the first inning, then steals 2nd base, sliding passed SS Britt Vonk
Next, Stacy May-Johnson hits a foul ball, but later is hit by a pitch after fouling off five pitches
Nathalie Timmermans is the catcher; Debbie Grove is the Home Plate Umpire
With runners on 1st and 2nd base, Lauren Gibson places a sacrifice bunt
With 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd base, Valerie Arioto is walked intentionally
A strikeout then ends the first at bat, leaving three American runners behind
The Dutch fans applaud the succesfull ending of the first at bat
Virginie Anneveld flies out in the 2nd inning
Ashley Holcombe is the catcher and Debbie Grove the umpire
Moments later, Jordan Taylor delivers to Merel Oosterveld, who walks
Merel running at 1st base in the 2nd inning with 1B Valerie Arioto in front of her
A view from leftfield with leftfielder Nathalie Gosewehr taking her position
Pitching Coach Karen Marr makes notes
Nathalie Gosewehr leads off the 4th inning with the first Dutch single
In the bottom of the 4th inning, Kaitlin Cochran is on 1st base after a lead-off single
1B Anne Blaauwgeers is ready for action
Head aches for Team USA?
Jackie Traina (11) takes over the pitching in the top of the 5th inning
The new pitcher is surrounded by Catcher Ashley Holcombe, 1B Valerie Arioto (20),
3B Stacy May-Johnson (5), 2B Lauren Gibson (27) and SS Samantha Fischer
Karin Tuk is the first batter to face Jackie Traina
With the USA leading 1-0, Lindsey Meadows takes over the Dutch pitching in the 5th
Michelle Moultrie at 1st base after being hit by a pitch to lead off the 5th inning
Anne Blaauwgeers and 1B Umpire Joyce Bellini wait the next delivery
Moments later, Michelle Moultrie is caught stealing and tagged out by Britt Vonk to end the 5th inning
Anne Blaauwgeers leads off the sixth inning
Anne is followed in the batter's box by Nathalie Gosewehr
Hereafter, Meike Witteveen hits a 2-out single
In the bottom of the 6th inning, Amanda Chidester decides the game with a 3-run homerun
Saskia Kosterink leads off the 7th inning with a single
But then three outs follow and Saskia strands on second base
End of the game
Head Coach Craig Montvidas reviews the game with the team
Below is the photo coverage of Fred Versluis of today's game
Umpires Juan Maestre (2B, Spain), Joyce Bellini (1B, Canada), Debbie Grove (HP, Australia)
and Nicola Ogier (3B, New Zealand) are being introduced
The umpires then have their meeting with the Head Coaches
Britt Vonk is being introduced
The teams line up for the National Anthems
Ready to Play Ball
Meike Witteveen hitting in the first inning
Rebecca Soumeru pitches the first four innings for the Orange
Michelle Moultrie steals 2nd base in the 1st inning, sliding passed Britt Vonk
But moments later, she is tagged out at home by pitcher Rebecca Soumeru
Merel Oosterveld is caught stealing and tagged by SS Samantha Fischer in the 2nd inning
1B Anne Blaauwgeers gets the ball in time to eliminate Rhea Taylor in the 2nd inning
Nathalie Timmermans hitting in the 3rd inning
Britt Vonk tags out Michelle Moultrie during a stealing attempt in the 3rd inning
Left: Nathalie Gosewehr leads off the 4th inning with a single
Right: Saskia Kosterink hitting in the 4th at bat
Left: Nathalie Gosewehr makes one of her two catches in front of the fence in the 4th inning
Right: Rebecca Soumeru ends the 4th inning with a strikeout
Coach Tracy Bunge greets Merel Oosterveld after an one-out single in the 5th
Lindsey Meadows takes over in the 5th inning
Michelle Moultrie is caught stealing for the second time in the 5th inning and tagged out by Britt Vonk
Nathalie Timmermans spots the photographer between innings
Today's game was well-visited
In the 6th inning, Nathalie Gosewehr flies out and Meike Witteveen singles
Meike slides into 1st base head-first to reach on her infield-single
The game ends
Head Coach Craig Montvidas talks with the team afterwards
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