Netherlands beat South Africa, earn second win

World No. 7 Netherlands outscored No. 31 South Africa, 11-2 on Tuesday. The Dutch recorded their second win in the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024. The Netherlands took an early lead and controlled the outcome through the end. South Africa played a brave offensive game, recording nine hits.

The Netherlands got on the scoreboard in the first. Jackey Josefa singled off starter Robert White, advanced on a defensive error and scored on an RBI single by Darryl Collins.

Jair Von Borkulo led off the bottom of the second with a single. He stole second and advanced to third on a flyout. He scored on Gedionne Marlin's two-out RBI single. Marlin headed home on back-to-back singles byRaydley Legito and Josepha.

The Netherlands added three runs in the bottom of the fourth against Cuan Hoffman, the third South African pitcher. Ruben Marnix led off bunting for the hit. Gedionne Marlin brought him home from first with a double, and another run scored on Raydley Legito's RBI single.

Hoffman hit a batter, walked two and allowed one more run. Marcus Kriek stepped to the mound to get the final out of the inning.

When South Africa got into scoring position with two outs in the top of the fifth, thanks to an error and a base hit, the Netherlands handed the ball to Koen Van'T Klooster. Luke November got to the reliever with a two-RBI single that put South Africa on the scoreboard.

The two runs helped South Africa avoid an early end of the game by the run difference rule. The Dutch scored three more runs in the bottom of the fifth when Josepha got to reliever Keenan Campbell with a three-RBI triple and added one in the sixth on an error.

The Netherlands will head to the Placement Round with a clean 2-0 record. South Africa will start from 0-2.