Cordemans, Decaster help Netherlands defeat Spain

The Netherlands beat Spain 6-2 and got the second victory of the WBSC Baseball Europe/Africa Qualifier. Rob Cordemans earned the win, pitching 5 innings, striking out 5 and allowing only one run. JC Sulbaran picked up the save. Yurendell Decaster led the offence with 2 hits, including a double, and 2 RBIs.

The Netherlands got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second inning. Hendrik Clementina was hit by a pitch, and Sharlon Schoop singled. With one out, Yurendell Decaster doubled to left-centre off starting pitcher Lowuin Sacramento to make the score 2-0. Later, the Dutch added another run thanks to a defensive error after John Polonius’ single.

Spain scored in the top of the fifth frame. Lesther Galvan and Jesus Martinez hit a pair of singles. Then, Leomartires Rodriguez sacrificed fly, plating Galvan home.

Later, the Netherlands extended the lead. In the seventh inning, the Dutch scored two times thanks to a balk and an RBI single by Clementina. One inning later, Curt Smith added a sacrifice fly to make it 6-1.

Spain tried to tie the game in the final inning, but it didn’t. Jesus Martinez hit an RBI double. With bases loaded and one out, relief pitcher JC Sulbaran entered in the game and escaped a jam, getting the final outs of the game.