The Netherlands win succesful Baseball World Port Tournament
The hosts, and defending European Champions, the Netherlands defeated a Collegiate Japanese selection in the final to claim the XVII edition’s trophy. The Dutch are the Europe/Africa favourites for a spot in the Olympis
The Netherlands won the XVII edition of the Baseball World Port Tournament defeating, 3-2, a Collegiate Japanese selection in the final played in front of a full house at Familie Stadion in Rotterdam.
The World Port Tournament is sanctioned by WBSC.
Four Dutch pitchers limited Japan to two runs and six hits. Legendary righthander Rob Cordemans went 4 innings and veteran lefthander Diegomar Markwell went three innings, earning the win in relief. Juan Carlos Sulbaran, Kevin Kelly and Tom Stuifbergen (who earned the save) pitched the rest of the game.
Second baseman Sharlon Schoop went 3 for 4, producing all of the runs the Netherlands needed.
Yusaku Miura started the game for Japan, going 4.1 innings and allowing 2 runs. Reliever Daiki Sekino suffered the loss.
Shalrlon Schoop, who played as high as Triple-A baseball for the Baltimore Orioles, won the game for the Netherlands on a base hit. Third baseman Dwayne Kemp, who had reached on an error, scored on the hit.
Familie Stadion in Rotterdam
The Japanese Collegiate National Team was at the same time hosting the XLIII edition of the USA vs Japan Collegiate All-Star Series.
Japan prevailed (3-2), in the five-game series.
