THE NETHERLANDS – Jeffrey Arends of DOOR Neptunus is leading the Dutch Major League batting race with a .404 (36-for-89) average. The first baseman also has a league-high 37 RBIs, scored 15 runs, and stroked seven doubles in 24 games.

L&D Amsterdam’s Kenny Berkenbosch is in the next spot with a .382 (26-for-68) batting mark. The hard-hitting outfielder has six doubles and 11 RBIs in 25 games so far this season.

Former batting champion Danny Rombley of Corendon Kinheim is third at .376, while L&D Amsterdam second baseman Zaïr Koeiman (.375) and Neptunus outfielder Eugène Kingsale (.363) round out the top five hitters.

HITS
40 – Wesley Connor, L&D Amsterdam
36 – Jeffrey Arends, DOOR Neptunus
35 – Dirk van ‘t Klooster, Corendon Kinheim
33 – Eugène Kingsale, DOOR Neptunus
32 – Danny Rombley, Corendon Kinheim

TOP PITCHERS

Sparta/Feyenoord ace Rob Cordemans is leading the league with an 0.52 ERA. The right-hander has posted a 4-1 record with 80 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings. His teammate, southpaw Herman Gaarman, is also throwing the ball well as evident by a 3-1 record with three saves and a 1.74 ERA.

Konica Minolta’s dual threat Ryan Murphy – who earned 2008 Holland Series MVP honors while playing for L&D Amsterdam, is enjoying another banner year on the hill. The American is sporting a 7-0 record with 66 strikeouts in 66 innings with a dazzling 0.68 ERA.

Other pitchers enjoying solid campaigns this year includes the following:

- Dushan Ruzic, DOOR Neptunus (3-1, 5 SV, 0.71)
- Jorian van Acker, DOOR Neptunus (0-0, 0.87, 16 K)
- Berry van Driel, DOOR Neptunus (2-0, 0.92, 16 K)
- Patrick Beljaards, Corendon Kinheim (6-0, 1.37, 25 K)
- Pim Walsma, L&D Amsterdam (3-1, 8 SV, 1.86)
- Adam Blackley, L&D Amsterdam (4-2, 1.94, 60 K)
- Gregory Gustina, Sparta/Feyenoord (3-4, 1.97, 19 K)

Photo courtesy of Henk Seppen/L&D Amsterdam Pirates

Tags: Netherlands