The Amsterdam Pirates champions of the Netherlands 2023
© Honkbalsoftbal.nl
Neptunus Rotterdam, despite being the favorite team, fails to win the twentieth title in its history. After seven exciting matches, the Amsterdam Pirates triumphed for the seventh time after the successes of 1987, 1990, 2008, 2011, 2019 and 2021. The only exception was the 2020 title which was not awarded to the Pirates, despite two victories to zero in the Holland Series, by decision of the Dutch KNBSB federation given the pandemic situation.
The Pirates had started strongly in the semi-final by beating the reigning champions HCAW Bussum, in a best of five match. But to defeat the very strong Curacao Neptunus, Amsterdam had to use all seven games available. Thanks to its two pitching aces, Scott Prins and Nelmerson Angela, the yellow and blacks won the first two games and the last two. Game 3, 4 and 5 were won by Neptunus, who on Tuesday found themselves at 3-2 before the two final and decisive matches, fought until the ninth second half of game seven. Nelmerson Angela knew how to defend the Pirates’ narrow lead (9-8) including the last out against the hosts in Rotterdam.
An unexpected victory, but the new manager Mervin Gario was able to create the right team spirit. During the Champions Cup in Amsterdam and Bussum, the players discovered that without their three pitchers Shairon Martis (ex-Major League), Tom de Blok (ex-Minor League) and closer Mike Groen, all three transferred to Neptunus, the roster would still have been capable of competing at Parma and HCAW levels. After the European week, the Pirates strengthened with colleagues returning from American colleges.
Nelmerson Angela and Scott Prins (Amsterdam Pirates) winning pitchers of games 6 and 7 of the 2023 Holland Series
Trailing 0-2 in the Holland Series and 4-0 in game 3 in Amsterdam, Neptunus knew how to take advantage of an interruption in the match. An appeal from Neptunus delayed the match for 45 minutes while the final decision was made. However, due to a lost appeal, victory came on the field. The young pitcher Scott Prins could no longer control his pitches and 2 runs scored immediately by Rotterdam changed the direction of the game. From 4-2, Neptunus continued to attack towards the final result of 8-4 for the blue and white. Games 4 and 5 were also won by Neptunus. But the key game was the fifth, decided by the Neptunus in the bottom of the ninth inning: 2-1 thanks to the winning run homer by catcher Tony Krueger.
The decisive results on Sunday after race 6 on Saturday in Amsterdam, which started at 2pm with sun and wind, then changed to long and intense rain. After 7 rounds with the Pirates leading 5-1, the referees decided to stop the match. The club and federation preferred to continue game 6 on Sunday in Rotterdam at 1pm. After 15 minutes and a second half and a half, the first game in Rotterdam ended with no more points scored: 5-1 for Amsterdam as the home team. Under the NOS cameras, game 7 gave a spectacle to the fans present in the stadium, on TV and radio. Second inning 0-4 for Pirates and tie by Neptunus, third inning 7-4 for Neptunus, fourth inning home run by captain Roelie Henrique 7-6 and John Polonius then scores 8-6 on Dwayne Kemp’s single. Fifth round Amsterdam draw 8-8, eighth round Jorrit Penseel hits home 9-8 for Amsterdam. With closer Nelmerson Angela, the winning pitcher for 7 innings on the mound, the title for the Amsterdam Pirates, the seventh in history, became a reality.
2023-10-24 07:52:43
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