Maxwell Cornelissen's no hitter takes Netherlands past Spain

World No. 7 Netherlands beat Spain, 5-0, and made an important step towards Super Round placement. Left-handed starter Maxwell Cornelissen starred in the win, throwing a no-hitter. Slugging third baseman Joan Sierra and centre fielder Miquel Mxawell led the offense.

The Netherlands took the lead in the bottom of the third, building the go-ahead runs on a pair of defensive errors. Singles by leadoff hitter Miquel Willem and right fielder Keyron Ashby made the most of those.

Third baseman Joan Sierra led off the bottom of the sixth with a double, the second of his game. Left fielder Tyler Mercado singled and brought him to third. With one out and runners at third and second, Spain's starter Juan Salazar could not get the second out home on a comebacker, allowing the Netherlands to extend the lead.

Spain handed the ball to Diego Sanmiguel with a runner at third. The right-hander walked the first batter. Dutch leadoff hitter Miquel Willem hit a two-RBI double to open the score to 5-0.

Left-hander Maxwell Cornelissen kept Spain hitless. The first runner reached base in the third on a mishandled strikeout. Cornelissen got the lead runner on a sacrifice bunt attempt.

The left-hander hit a batter in the seventh, the only other runner he allowed on his way to a no-hitter.

It's the second no-hitter for the Netherlands. Despite allowing two runs on 11 walks, Rodiensly Ignecia and Nathan Arends combined a no-hitter against Venezuela on Saturday, 2 September.

The Netherlands are now 3-1 and will close the Opening Round against No. 1 Japan. Spain are winless and will play No. 11 Panama on Tuesday.