Prior to the first pitch between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Team Italy, two other Haarlem Baseball Week games took place earlier in the day. Chinese Taipei edged Spain 2-1 and Japan beat the USA 9-5.
SPAIN-CHINESE TAIPEI BOX SCORE
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JAPAN-USA BOX SCORE
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Having defeated the USA 6-1 the night prior, defending Haarlem Baseball Week champion and host Kingdom of the Netherlands came into the game against Team Italy with the home team advantage. It was clear by the sea of orange in the stands that the Dutch were the fan favorites at the sold-out Pim Mulier Stadion in Haarlem on Saturday night, July 13, 2024.
The Italians sent out starting pitcher Matteo Bocchi. After hitting leadoff man Stijn Van Der Meer in the top of the first inning, Rogear Bernadina followed with a double down the right field line. Then Jeremi Profar reached first base on an RBI infield single and Rogear Bernadina advanced to third base on a throwing error by shortstop Gabriele Angioi. Eugene Helder hit into a 4-6-3 double play, but Rogear Bernadina crossed the plate to give Kingdom of the Netherlands a 2-0 lead.
The Team Italy lineup card looked like this: Filippo Agretti, 3B; Ricardo Paolini, 2B; Nathanael Batista, RF; Federico Celli, CF; Jesus Carrera, 1B; Ernesto Liberatore, C; Tommaso Battioni, LF; Samuele Gamberini, DH; and Gabriele Angioi, SS.
The Dutch countered with starter Lars Huijer, who went 2-0 with an ERA less than one in 12 innings pitched (including a complete game) during Haarlem Baseball Week 2022 and returned with a stellar beginning to Haarlem Baseball Week 2024 after throwing a shutout over the Italians (7 IP, 3 H, BB, 10 K).
Team Italy threatened in the bottom of the first inning after a leadoff single by Filippo Agretti and a walk to Jesus Batista, but no runs were scored.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands went back to work in the top of the third inning when Stijn Van Der Meer doubled and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. Jeremi Profar walked to put runners on the corners. Then an error by second baseman Ricardo Paolini allowed one run to score and put the Dutch on top 3-0.
The Team Italy defense redeemed itself in the top of the fourth inning when turning a textbook 5-4-3 double play initiated by third baseman Filippo Agretti after a Sem Kuijper single to end the half inning.
Jesus Carrera singled in the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Italians were unable to capitalize.
Team Italy pitcher Matteo Bocchi showed resilience despite a faulty defense at times behind him during his four innings of work and registered six strikeouts. He was replaced by reliever Luca Di Raffaele in the top of the fifth inning. The crafty left-handed pitcher issued a leadoff walk to Stijn Van Der Meer, who advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a fly out to deep center by Jeremi Profar. An RBI single from Eugene Helder gave the Dutch a 4-0 advantage.
The Italians tried to get something going in the bottom of the fifth inning when Tommaso Battioni singled to center field, but the Azzurri once again came up empty.
Team Italy went to the bullpen in the top of the sixth inning and summoned Alex Bassani. He pitched two easy 1-2-3 out innings with two strikeouts to keep the game close.
The Azzurri called on reliever Marco Artitzu in the top of the eighth inning. After Eugene Helder hit a bloop single to right field, shortstop Gabriele Angioi denied Dwayne Kemp of a base hit in the gap and the Italians ended the scoring threat.
Dutch reliever Ryan Huntington appeared in the bottom of the eighth inning. Samuele Gamberini was robbed of extra bases when center fielder Rogear Bernadina made a diving shoestring catch that took the wind out of Team Italy.
Marco Artitzu returned to pitch a scoreless top of the ninth inning. He was helped by an outstanding backhanded catch near the left field line by shortstop Gabriele Angioi and a strikeout of Sem Kuijper.
Ryan Huntington came out to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning. Pinch hitter Giulio Monello hit an infield single, but that was not enough as the Kingdom of the Netherlands preserved the 4-0 shutout.
ITALY-KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS BOX SCORE
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Team Italy returns for a clash against a group of top college prospects from the USA on Sunday morning at 11:30 am.
HAARLEM BASEBALL WEEK 2024 SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
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Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
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(Photo of Team Italy pitcher Matteo Bocchi against Kingdom of the Netherlands on July 13, 2024 by RL-Mate)
