Despite swinging the bats well and some solid defensive plays, Team Australia took a tough loss against the Netherlands, 9-0 at Pim Mulier Stadion tonight.
Team Australia started the game stronger, with Logan Wade and Trent Oeltjen leading off the game with back-to-back singles. Mitch Nilsson ripped a ball into left field, but the throw to home just beat Oeltjen, who was out at the plate.
After a scoreless first inning, Dushan Ruzic had to leave the ballgame in the second with shoulder soreness, forcing Australia to make a change on the fly and bring in Matt Williams, who was forced to get into gear immediately.
Team Australia manager Jon Deeble was impressed by his team’s hitting.
“We swung the bats well,” Deeble said.
“We just couldn’t find the gaps, the contact was great, but they just weren’t dropping.”
Back-to-back lead off singles from Luke Hughes and Mitch Nilsson got the fourth started, but Hughes couldn’t make it to third safely after tagging up from second.
Sydney Blue Sox star and Team Australia rookie Jacob Younis collected his first hit in Team Australia colours in the fifth inning, but once again, Australia failed to capitalise on some decent positions.
“We have to keep battling,” Deeble said.
“We’ve had two tough losses, but we’re not going to lay down. We’re going to keep playing the game the right way and focus on what we need to do.”
Australia will face Curaçao tomorrow at 2pm (10pm AEST) for a spot in the Preliminary Final at Honkbalweek Haarlem.