Late-inning rally gives Netherlands comeback win, keeps them in contention for Play Offs spot

Netherlands recovered from a three-run deficit in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a pair of costly errors by South Africa's defence to mount a five-run inning and complete a 6-4 comeback win in a wild game. 

Netherlands and South Africa came into the game with a 0-3 record, desperately needing a win to stay in contention for a Play Offs spot. And both teams exchanged one run in the first inning. 

South Africa jumped ahead in the bottom half of the inning. With one out, Mandla Matswenyane hit a long ball to the left field wall for a stand-up triple, and scored on a fielding error by second baseman Dyron Juaquin. This was South Africa's first run of the tournament.

However, the Netherlands tied the game in the same inning. Eldrick Dijkhoff walked with one out and stole second base. Jonel Pirela struck out, but the third strike got away to the backstop. Dijkhoff advanced to third on the passed ball and scored on the catcher’s throw to first base to retire the runner.

South Africa got the lead again in the second, with a run scored by Madumetsa Nkgapele. The designated player drew a walk, moved to second on a sac bunt, and then reached third on a grounder. He finally scored on another bunt by Kiddo Malematja to put the game 2-1.

The African team extended their lead in the third with another run. Mogau Tupudi and Brandon Bouillon singled, and then Tupudi moved to third on a double play grounder. He finally scored on a passed ball to make it 3-1. 

In the top of the sixth, Bouillon gave South Africa a 4-1 lead with a monster home run off the scoreboard. However, the green and yellow team couldn't hold the lead.

Nonetheless, the Netherlands capitalized on a pair of errors to score five runs. Jefferson Delfina and Eldrick Dijkhoff reached base with one out, and Jonel Pirela hit a routine ground ball to shortstop, which could have resulted in an inning-ending double play. However, shortstop Bouillon threw wildly past second base, allowing both runners to score and keeping the inning alive. 

Dyron Juaquin tied the game with a double down the left-field line, and another throwing error on a grounder to pitcher Tidima Kekana brought in the go-ahead run for the Europeans. Quincy Jones singled in the insurance run.

Fransel Meyers earned the win for the Netherlands, pitching 3.1 innings in relief, giving up one run on two hits, with two striekouts. The loss was charged to Kekana, who tosse 5.2 frames with six strikeouts, three walks, six runs and six hits.

With this result, South Africa (0-4) is eliminated from the Play Offs. On the other hand, Netherlands (1-3) remain in the hunt for a spot in Friday's Play Offs.