On a day that featured several solid pitching performances, Canada’s Brooks McNiven stifled a potent Dutch offense for six innings as Canada claimed a surprising 7-1 win over the European champions on Sunday in Group B action.

Dutch starting pitcher Rob Cordemans also pitched well throwing goose eggs the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. The Canadians roughed up the usually reliable Dutch bullpen for five late runs to complete the upset.

But the main storyline was McNiven who combined with relievers Robert Swindle, Scott Richmond, Mike Johnson and Tim Burton to limit the hard-hitting Dutch to only six hits. The Canadian starter scattered four hits and fanned two to get the win.

Second baseman Matt Rogelstad was 3-for-5 and Mike Saunders homered for Canada which improved to 3-2. Emerson Frostaad and Jamie Romak each posted two RBI’s for the Canadians.

Dutch outfielder Bryan Engelhardt connected for his second home run in as many days in a losing cause. Coach Robert Eenhoorn’s squad will meet Korea on Tuesday in a must-win game with Cuba sitting in the oppsing dugout on Wednesday.

Canada also has a pair of tough game remaining with a date with Venezuela on Tuesday before a tussle with a tough Australia team the following day.

Tags: World Cup