05/09/2023 2 Minute Read

Netherlands stun Japan, three Group B teams tied at 4-1

Three Dutch pitchers limited the U-18 Samurai to one hit. Miquel Willem batted in the winning run in the third. Japan lost the potential tying run at the plate in the fifth. The Team Quality Balance (TQB) stated: USA first, Japan second, Netherlands third.

World No. 7 Netherlands stunned No. 1 Japan 1-0, forging a triple tie with No. 2 United States in the Group B standings. The three teams finished with identical 4-1 records, but USA gained the top spot in the group, as set by the Team Quality Balance (TQB). Japan and the Netherlands are second and third, respectively.

The game was dominated by pitchers, but the Netherlands outhit Japan, 4-1. Starter Gijs Van den Brink and closer Just Van den Ouweeelen combined five perfect innings.

The Netherlands scored the winning run in the top of the third and Japan lost the potential tying run at the plate in the bottom of the fifth.

Shortstop Amarencio Franka led off the top of the third with a single, representing the game's first hit. With one out, second baseman Tai Tromp reached on an infield single despite a diving attempt by third baseman Yazuki Nakayama. Leadoff hitter Miquel Willem singled to left field. Koga Hashimoto tried to get Franka at the plate for the second out. The on-field review reversed home plate umpire Tim Wen's out call. Takahashi retired the side to end the inning.

Designated hitter Tyrell Mercado tripled off the left field wall with one out in the fourth. Takahashi got the second out on strikes. Franka got to his third pitch and hit a hard grounder to the left side. Shortstop Syuya Yamada got to the ball and got the third out at first with a long throw.

Left-hander Gijs Van den Brink threw three perfect innings, striking out one and using 34 pitches, then left for Nathan Arends. He will be available for Day 1 of the Super Round on Thursday.

In the top of the fifth Japan handed the ball to right-hander Yuto Kimura.

Nakayama became the first Japanese runner, walking with one out in the bottom of the fifth. He advanced in scoring position on a groundout. Centre fielder Minato Maruta got to Arends' sixth pitch for a base hit to right field. Thijs Helms got Nakayama at home for the third out.

Kimura walked Reyes, the first runner he allowed, to lead off the seventh. The Netherlands bunted their designated hitter to second. Kimura got the second out on strikes, then walked Franka intentionally and struck out catcher Jared Veeris to end the at-bat.

Just Van den Ouweeelen pitched two perfect innings to secure the win.