Sharlon Schoop homers as the Netherlands defeat South Africa

The Netherlands beat South Africa, 7-1, and earned the third victory of the WBSC Baseball Europe/Africa Qualifier. Sharlon Schoop led the Dutch offence with a two-run homer. Yurendell Decaster and Ademar Rifaela had also a two-RBI game. Mike Bolsenbroek earned the win, Dean Jacobs got the loss.

‘’We did a good job, today’’ Schoop commented. ‘’On Sunday we will play a crucial game against Italy that we have to win’’.

The Netherlands got on the scoreboard in the first inning. Roger Bernadina and Kalian Sams walked. Then, Sicnarf Loopstok and Yurendell Decaster hit a pair of singles off starting pitcher Dean Jacobs to make the score 2-0.

South Africa cut the lead to 1 in the top of the second. Hein Robb and Brett Willemburg earned a walk. Later, Rowan Ebersohn was hit by pitch. With bases loaded, Benjamin Smith hit a sacrifice fly off starting pitcher Doony Breek.

In the third frame, the Netherlands extended the lead. The Dutch scored four times thanks to 3 hits, including a two-run blast to deep left field by Sharlon Schoop.

‘’We scored some runs today. The pitcher throw me a slider that left up. I read the ball well, and I hit a home run’’  Schoop commented.

One inning later, the Netherlands added another run. Dwayne Kemp singled up the middle. Ademar Rifaela reached on error and Kemp scored on the play, for the 7-1 lead.

The Dutch bullpen gave no chance to South Africa. Mike Bolsenbroek posted two perfect innings, Shurendy Valeriano worked two more, allowing one hit and Shairon Martis pitched the last two frames.