The Dutch teamroster:
Pitchers:
Patrick Beljaards, Eelco Jansen, René Rijst (all Kinheim), Ken Brauckmiller, Rob Cordemans (both Neptunus), Derrick Isenia, Orlando Stewart (both Sparta/Feyenoord), Patrick de Lange, Jurriaan Lobbezoo (both HCAW) and Richard Orman (Hoofddorp Pioniers).
Catchers:
Maikel Benner (Sparta/Feyenoord) and Nick Fridsma (HCAW).
Position players:
Melfried Comenencia (Sparta/Feyenoord), Jeffrey Cranston (HCAW), Eddie Dix, Robert Eenhoorn, Percy Isenia, Dirk van 't Klooster (all Neptunus), Evert-Jan 't Hoen (Anaheim Angels), Raymond Hofer (Kinheim), Reily Legito (ADO) and Ralph Milliard (Cincinnati Reds).
(October 12)

Dutch open tournament with loss
SYDNEY (Australia) - The national team of The Netherlands opened the XIV Intercontinental Cup-tournament on Wednesday-evening with a 3-1 loss vs. host country Australia.
The Australian team, who started with Major League-pitcher Shayne Bennett (Montreal Expos), opened the score in the first inning. They added two more runs in the sixth, after Jurriaan Lobbezoo had relieved Dutch starter Ken Brauckmiller with two runners on the bases. In the bottom sixth, the home playing Dutch scored their only run as Raymond Hofer scored on an RBI-single by active pro Evert-Jan 't Hoen (Anaheim Angels), who went 3-for-4. Another active professional made his comeback in the Dutch squad. Second baseman Ralph Milliard (Cincinnati Reds) last played for the national team back in 1992. In the ninth, The Netherlands hit three consecutive singles and got runners on all bases, but didn't score as a runner was tagged out at home plate, ending the game. Bennett allowed only three Dutch hits in six-plus innings, but the Dutch nevertheless outhit the Australians, 7-6.
On Thursday, The Netherlands and Australia have a day off, as the other six participating teams will play their first game. Also participating in this tournament are Cuba, Chinese Taipei, Italy, Japan, Korea and USA.
(November 3)

Wednesday, November 3

The Netherlands - Australia 1-3				R	H	E
Australia	100	002	000	3	6	0
The Netherlands	000	001	000	1	8	0
pitchers Australia	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Shayne Bennett, W	6.1	4	1	3	1	1
Cameron Cairncross	0.2	1	-	1	-	-
Tom Becker, SV	2	3	-	4	-	-
pitchers The Netherlands	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Ken Brauckmiller, L	5 (*)	2	3	4	3	3
Jurriaan Lobbezoo	4	3	2	2	-	-
* - Brauckmiller pitched to two batters in the sixth inning

Korea beats Cuba; loss Italy
SYDNEY/BLACKTOWN (Australia) - On the second day of competition Korea defeated reigning Olympic and World Champion Cuba 4-3 in ten innings. Trailing 3-2, the Koreans tied the score in the seventh. In the tenth, they won it as Kim Won hit an RBI-double.
In Blacktown, Italy was defeated 7-3 by Taiwan, which has five players of their professional Major League on its roster. Italy was leading 3-0 after two innings, but in the three middle innings, Taiwan scored four runs off of starting pitcher Danny Newman.
On Thursday-evening, the United States shutout Japan 4-0 in the Olympic baseball arena in Sydney as they scored four runs in the ninth, including three on a homerun.
(November 4)

scores Thursday, November 4:
Italy vs. Chinese Taipei, 3-7; Korea vs. Cuba, 4-3 (10 inn.); Japan vs. USA, 0-4.

Dutch fell to USA and rain; Cuba win in ninth
SYDNEY/BLACKTOWN (Australia) - The Dutch national team was defeated 4-1 on Friday-evening by the USA, but a two-hour rain delay spoiled Dutch chances. Starting pitcher Rob Cordemans allowed only three hits and one run in five innings, before heavy rain interrupted the game after the fifth inning. It took almost two hours before the game resumed, but Cordemans then remained in the dug-out. His reliever, Richard Orman took over in the sixth and the USA immediately added two runs. The first on a homerun by Glenn Murray, the second on a throwing error and wild pitch. In the eighth, after Eelco Jansen relieved Orman, USA made it 4-0. The Dutch didn't get much scoring opportunities in the first five innings, but nevertheless would have had chances to come back in the game as the offense had good contact on American pitching. But the rain spoiled their eventual chances and they never overcame the two runs in the sixth inning. Finally, in the ninth, the Dutch scored their lone run when Evert-Jan 't Hoen scored on a pinch-hit single by Eddie Dix.
In other games, Cuba won its first game of the tournament, beating Taiwan 1-0 after scoring their run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Italy was defeated heavily by Australia 9-1, while Japan won 5-2 vs. Korea.
(November 5)

Friday, November 5

USA - The Netherlands 4-1				R	H	E
The Netherlands	000	000	001	1	8	1
USA	000	012	01x	4	8	0
pitchers The Netherlands	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Rob Cordemans, L	5	5	3	3	1	1
Richard Orman	2	-	-	4	3	2
Eelco Jansen	1	-	-	1	-	-
pitchers USA	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Steve Renko	4	1	-	4	-	-
Steve Falteisek	1	1	-	-	-	-
Richard Bell, W	2.1	2	1	1	-	-
Jason Bullard	1.1	3	-	2	1	1
Scott Wright, SV	0.1	1	-	1	-	-
Homerun: USA: Glenn Murray.

other scores:
Cuba vs. Chinese Taipei, 1-0; Korea vs. Japan, 2-5; Australia vs. Italy, 9-1.

Third loss for Dutch; Australia hits USA hard
SYDNEY/BLACKTOWN (Australia) - The Netherlands was beaten 7-2 by Cuba on Saturday-afternoon for its third consecutive loss. Starting pitcher Orlando Stewart gave up twelve hits, but nevertheless it took until the seventh inning before Cuba scored their insurance runs. Trailing 3-0, Ken Brauckmiller's two-run single made it 3-2 in the third, before Cuba added another run in the home third when Oscar Macias homered. In the remaining six innings, the Dutch offense had no answer to hardthrowing Cuban pitcher Leonides Turcas, who struckout eleven. In the seventh, a three-run homerun by Gabriel Pierre made it 7-2 for Cuba. But there was a Dutch highlight in the game, as 19-year old rookie Maikel Benner did a fine job catching the complete game in his first start in an official national team game.
In other games, Australia outhit and outscored the USA, winning 12-2 in eight innings, highlighted by two-run homeruns by Brendan Kingman and Michael Moyle. The last one ended the game in the eighth as Australia reached the run-difference. Italy again was defeated by a high score, 10-2 vs. Japan, while Taiwan won 6-1 vs. Korea.
(November 6)

Saturday, November 6

Cuba - The Netherlands 7-2				R	H	E
The Netherlands	002	000	000	2	8	1
Cuba	121	000	30x	7	12	0
pitchers The Netherlands	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Orlando Stewart, L	7	2	1	12	7	6
René Rijst	1	-	-	-	-	-
pitcher Cuba	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Leonides Turcas, W	9	11	2	8	2	2
Homeruns: Cuba: Oscar Macias, Gabriel Pierre.

other scores:
Japan vs. Italy, 10-2; Chinese Taipei vs. Korea, 6-1; Australia vs. USA, 12-2 (8 inn.).

Dutch shutout by Koreans; Australia remains unbeaten
SYDNEY/BLACKTOWN (Australia) - The Netherlands on Sunday were shutout by Korea, 3-0 to fell to an 0-4 record. The Dutch had no offensive answer to submarine-pitcher Tae-Hyon Chong, who gave up only three hits and struckout ten in eight-plus innings. Only Ken Brauckmiller, Percy Isenia and Eddie Dix got a hit into the books. Dutch starting pitcher Patrick de Lange allowed five hits in six-plus innings, but also walked four, giving up three earned runs. Chong threw a variety of pitches and gave away no scoring opportunities, as Korea took the lead in the third, adding runs in the fourth and seventh inning. In the ninth, after Eddie Dix doubled, Chong was relieved by Kwang-Woo Kim, who earned a save.
In other games, Australia connected for sixteen hits beating Taiwan 11-3 to remain unbeaten after four games. Grant McDonald, Dave Nilsson and Michael Moyle all had three hits. Later in the day, USA won 6-2 vs. Italy, while Cuba defeated Japan 4-1.
(November 7)

Sunday, November 7

Korea - The Netherlands 3-0				R	H	E
The Netherlands	000	000	000	0	3	1
Korea	001	100	10x	3	7	0
pitchers The Netherlands	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Patrick de Lange, L	6.1	2	4	5	3	3
Patrick Beljaards	1	-	-	2	-	-
Eelco Jansen	0.1	1	1	-	-	-
René Rijst	0.1	-	-	-	-	-
pitcher Korea	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Tae-Hyon Chong, W	8.2	10	3	3	-	-
Kwang-Woo Kim, SV	0.1	-	1	-	-	-

other scores:
Chinese Taipei vs. Australia, 3-11; USA vs. Italy, 6-2; Japan vs. Cuba, 1-4.

Dutch one-hit by Taiwan; first loss Australia
SYDNEY/BLACKTOWN (Australia) - The Netherlands got only one hit in a 2-0 shutout by Taiwan, as the Dutch got their fifth consecutive loss. Only Robert Eenhoorn connected for a hit in the seventh off of starter Tsai, who later was relieved. The game was a six-inning shutout as Jurriaan Lobbezoo also did a good job pitching for the Dutch, giving up six hits in eight-plus innings and allowing the first run in the seventh. The Dutch did reach the bases, as the Taiwanese pitchers walked five, but got no scoring opportunities.
In other games, strong playing Japan handed Australia its first loss after four victories, winning 6-1. Italy was defeated in seven innings by Cuba, 14-2, while USA nipped Korea 2-1 in ten innings.
(November 9)

Tuesday, November 9

The Netherlands - Chinese Taipei 0-2				R	H	E
Chinese Taipei	000	000	101	2	7	1
The Netherlands	000	000	000	0	1	2
pitchers Chinese Taipei	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Chung-Nan Tsai, W	7	9	3	1	-	-
Po-Chang Shen	1.1	1	1	-	-	-
Chieh-Chih Tseng, SV	0.2	1	-	-	-	-
pitchers The Netherlands	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Jurriaan Lobbezoo, L	8.2	6	3	6	2	2
René Rijst	0.1	1	-	1	-	-

other scores:
USA vs. Korea, 2-1 (10 inn.); Italy vs. Cuba, 2-14 (7 inn.); Australia vs. Japan, 1-6.

Dutch also defeated by Italy; Australia and Cuba lead
SYDNEY/BLACKTOWN (Australia) - The Netherlands baseball team is still winless. On Wednesday, the Dutch were defeated by European archrival Italy, 4-1 in a tense game. Despite outhitting Italy, 6-5, the Dutch offense again didn't do its job. The Dutch however took a 1-0 lead in the first when Eddie Dix (double) scored on a single by Robert Eenhoorn. In the bottom first, Italy tied the game when Davide Dall'Ospedale was walked with the bases loaded by starter Rob Cordemans. In the second, Andrea Castri made it 2-1 in Italian favor when he homered. In the top third, the dug-outs cleared after an argument on second base. Dutch runner Eddie Dix and Italian short stop Andrea Evangelisti got into an argument after Dix's steal of second base. As the game resumed, Italy-starter Danny Newman turned around for a pick-off move, but the ball went towards runner Dix, emptying the dug-outs. Newman was ejected. In the bottom third, Cordemans, who walked six, was relieved by Patrick Beljaards, who allowed only two hits and no runs, while striking out seven, in four innings, before getting into trouble in the seventh. Luigi Carrozza then singled in the third run, bringing in Eelco Jansen as Beljaards' reliever. Jansen immediately gave up another runscoring single to Dall'Ospedale, making it 4-1.
In other games, Australia recovered from their first loss on Tuesday by shutting outKorea 3-0. In the evening, Cuba won 5-1 vs. USA. Earlier in the day, Japan shutout Taiwan 6-0. Australia and Cuab are now leading the tournament and will face each other on Thursday in the last game of the preliminary round.
(November 10)

Wednesday, November 10

Italy - The Netherlands 4-1				R	H	E
The Netherlands	100	000	000	1	6	2
Italy	110	000	20x	4	5	2
pitchers The Netherlands	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Rob Cordemans, L	2.2	2	6	2	2	2
Patrick Beljaards	4	7	1	2	2	1
Eelco Jansen	1.1	2	1	1	-	-
pitchers Italy	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Danny Newman	2.2	2	1	2	1	1
Roberto Cabalisti, W	6.1	8	2	4	-	-
Homerun: Italy: Andrea Castri.

other scores:
Japan vs. Chinese Taipei, 6-0; Australia vs. Korea, 3-0; Cuba vs. USA, 5-1.

Dutch seventh loss; Australia claims first place
SYDNEY/BLACKTOWN (Australia) - The Netherlands finished the Intercontinental Cup with its seventh consecutive loss, as Japan won 15-2 in eight innings. Throughout the tournament, the Dutch hitting was not as it used to be, but against Japan the defensive also didn't support the pitching. In the second inning, errors led to five unearned runs, giving Japan a comfortable lead. In the fifth, Eddie Dix had two RBI's to make it 5-2, but in the sixth, Japan immediately added three more runs after another defensive miss. In the seventh and eighth, Japan scored seven more runs to accomplish a ten-run difference lead. Japan connected for nineteen hits off of four pitchers, while the Dutch got only six and committed four errors.
In other games, Australia claimed first place after the preliminary round, beating Cuba 5-1. USA won 5-2 vs. Taiwan, while Italy surprised by beating Korea 3-1, thanks to solo-homeruns by Claudio Liverziani and Stefano Landuzzi. Korea outhit Italy 9-5, but also made three errors.
(November 11)

Thursday, November 11

The Netherlands - Japan 2-15 (8 inn.)				R	H	E
Japan	050	003	34	15	19	1
The Netherlands	000	020	00	2	6	4
pitchers Japan	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Orlando Stewart, L	5	5	2	9	8	3
Derrick Isenia	1.2	1	1	5	3	3
Richard Orman	0.1	-	-	3	3	3
René Rijst	1	1	-	2	1	1
pitchers Japan	inn.	SO	BB	H	R	ER
Masanori Sugiura, W	5	8	-	4	2	-
Norihisa Mori	1	-	-	1	-	-
Kazuyuki Maeda	1	1	-	1	-	-
Hisashi Aikyo	1	2	-	-	-	-
Homerun: Japan: Yoshinori Okihara.

other scores:
Korea vs. Italy, 1-3; Chinese Taipei vs. USA, 2-5; Cuba vs. Australia, 1-5.

	Final Standings Preliminary Round		G	W	L	T	GB	RUNS	OPP	Pct.
	1	AUSTRALIA	7	6	1	-	-	44	14	.857
	2	CUBA	7	5	2	-	1	35	15	.714
		USA	7	5	2	-	1	24	23	.714
		JAPAN	7	5	2	-	1	43	15	.714
	5	CHINESE TAIPEI	7	3	4	-	3	20	27	.429
	6	ITALY	7	2	5	-	4	17	48	.286
		KOREA	7	2	5	-	4	12	22	.286
	8	THE NETHERLANDS	7	-	7	-	6	7	38	.000
	(through games played on Thursday, November 11)

Australia and Cuba play final
SYDNEY (Australia) - Australia and Cuba will face each other in the final game of the tournament on Sunday after winning their semi-finals on Saturday. Cuba shutout the USA, 7-0, while Australia won a close game vs. Japan, 2-0.
(November 13)

Saturday, November 13
Scores semi-finals:
Cuba vs. USA, 7-0
Australia vs. Japan, 2-0

Australia wins gold medal
SYDNEY (Australia ) - Australia won the gold medal on Sunday-evening by winning 4-3 in eleven innings vs. Cuba. Earlier in the day, Japan won the bronze medal after defeating USA 6-0.
In the Olympic Baseball Stadium, Cuba took an early 2-0 lead after two innings, but the 'Aussies' tied the game in the fouth. Cuba re-took the lead in the sixth, but Australia again made it a tie game after scoring in the eighth inning. Finally, in the top of the 11th, Australia took a definitive 4-3 lead in this exciting and attractive game.
(November 14)

Sunday, November 14
Bronze medal game:
USA vs. Japan, 0-6
Gold medal game:
Cuba vs. Australia, 3-4 (11 inn.)

Final Standings:
1. Australia, 2. Cuba, 3. Japan, 4. USA, 5. Chinese Taipei, 6. Italy, 7. Korea, 8. The Netherlands.

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