Konica Minolta Pioniers Deal Sparta/Feyenoord 2-1 Setback

THE NETHERLANDS - The Konica Monica Pioniers scored an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth to edge Sparta/Feyenoord 2-1 on Saturday in Hoofddorp to take over sole possession of fourth place in the Dutch Major Leagues.

The Pioniers (18-12) hold a one-game lead over Sparta/Feyenoord (17-13) for the final playoff spot and trail third place L&D Amsterdam (20-10) by two games.

Sparta/Feyenoord drew first blood in the fourth inning when Percy Isenia doubled off Konica Minolta starter Roger Kops, moved to third on Rodney Michel’s infield single before scoring on a single by Roderick Simon.

The Pioniers tagged Sparta/Feyenoord starter Rob Cordemans for a run in the seventh to tie the game at 1-1. Michael Duursma started the inning with a leadoff double and scored on an error in the only league game played on Saturday due to bad weather conditions.

Konica Minolta bagged the win in the ninth as two errors doomed Sparta/Feyenoord closer Arístides Almenar. Bart Sabel opened the inning with a walk and advanced to third base on a throwing error on Duursma’s sacrifice bunt, and then scored the game-winning run on another error.

Pioniers closer Dave Draijer, who retired the only batter he faced in the ninth, recorded his first win of the season while Almenar (1-2) suffered his second setback on the year.

Both starting pitchers turned in solid outings in no-decision efforts with Cordemans striking out nine while allowing a run on six hits over seven innings. Kops also surrendered only one run on seven hits in 6.2 innings of work.

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