Venezuela win thriller against the Netherlands

World No. 5 Venezuela beat No. 7 Netherlands at the end of a thriller, 10-9.
The Dutch proved resilient enough to come back after trailing 5-0 in the first. They outhit the opponents 11-7 and took a two-run lead into the sixth, but their bullpen couldn't stop Venezuela.

Venezuela took the lead against Naut Kragts in the bottom of the first. The Dutch starter hit Lewis Castillo. Brainer Bonaci followed with a double, and the first run scored on a ground out. Naugt walked the bases loaded, and Gilbert Medina cleared them with a double to the gap in right center. Giovanni Rivero followed with an RBI single to make it 5-0.

The Netherlands got to Venezuela's starter José Guzman in the top of the second and tied the game. Sem Kuijper and Tilsaimy Melfor reached on back-to-back one-out infield singles. Darryl Collins turned the fifth pitch he saw into a two-RBI triple to put the Dutch on the scoreboard. Collins scored the third run on a groundout, and Donovan Antonia tied the game with a two-RBI triple.

Pim Vijfinkel took the mound for the Netherlands in the bottom of the second. He loaded the bases with three walks and allowed the sixth Venezuelan run on a sacrifice fly by Pedro Martinez.

The Netherlands scored the go-ahead runs in the top of the third. Ruendrick Piternella and Sem Kuijper led off with back-to-back singles. Melfor advanced them to third and second, and Collins scored Piternella with a sacrifice fly.

Venezuela relieved Guzman with Juan Romero, who got out of the inning with two strikeouts but allowed the second Dutch run with a wild pitch.

Gilbert Medina reached on a defensive error in the bottom half of the frame. He advanced on a walk, reached third on a sacrifice bunt and scored the tying run on Daniel Castillo's sacrifice fly.

Piternella put the Netherlands ahead once again in the top of the fourth when his RBI single wone a nine-pitch duel with Romero.

The Dutch added a run in the fifth against Cristian Fermin. Collins singled, advanced on a groundout and scored on Rushenten Tomsjansen's RBI single.

Venezuela took the lead back in the bottom of the sixth. Jiorgeny Casimiri, the third Dutch pitcher, couldn't get an out. He walked Daniel Castillo and allowed an infield single to Lewis Castillo and an RBI double to Brainer Bonaci.

Jelle Van der Leie took the mound and got the first out. After intentionally walking Pedro Martinez, he allowed a two-RBI single to Alexander Pena. He got out of the inning thanks to a double play.

Adrian Luna took the mound for Venezuela and got the final three outs, allowing only one walk.

Venezuela will host No. 17 Nicaragua on Day 2. The Netherlands will face Chinese Taipei in the night game.