THE NETHERLANDS – Czech slugger Jakub Malik went 4-for-5 and a trio of Konica Minolta pitchers limited Almere to just three hits Monday as the Pioniers finished off a three-game sweep over the Magpies with a convincing 15-1 road win in the Dutch League.

Konica Minolta (10-11) scored early and often in a matchup that was decided in rapid-like fashion. Lennart Koster put coach Bernie Beckman’s squad out front in the first with a two-run double to the gap in right center. And, things went from bad to worse for Almere starter Dennis Burgersdijk the following inning.

The right-hander, who chewed up 67-plus innings for MediaMonks RCH last year, opened the second with a strikeout before inducing an infield fly off the bat of Linoy Croes. However, shortstop Joey Berkenbosch botched the routine popup which triggered a five-run frame.

Malik followed a run-scoring base hit by Norbert Lokhorst with a two-run triple, and Koster collected his third RBI of the game with a single to right field. Mark Duursma capped the outburst with an RBI double to put the Magpies in a seven-run hole.

The Pioniers chased Burgersdijk in the third with another score, and tagged reliever Joep de Wit for a pair of runs in the fifth before sealing the win with a four-run seventh highlighted by Kevin Dirksen’s two-run double.

Almere foiled the shutout bid in the ninth when Churandy La Cruz drilled a leadoff solo home run off closer Dave Draijer.

Koster, who reached base four times and drove in three runs, tallied two of the Pioniers’ seven doubles.

Konica Minolta starter Shane Gnade allowed two hits and a pair of walks before exiting after four shutout frames. Arshwin Asjes (1-1) retired all six batters he faced with four strikeouts to notch his first win of the year.

Burgersdijk (0-4) was charged with the loss after giving up eight hits and eight runs (six unearned) in just two innings of work.

MR. COCKER HCAW 8, SPARTA/FEYENOORD 7
Reliever Quin Tramm plunked two hitters in the ninth with the bases loaded and Mr. Cocker HCAW won the rubber match against Sparta/Feyenoord in a wacky game at Rotterdam. HCAW built a 5-1 lead before the home team scored six unanswered runs to hold a two-run lead heading into the final frame. Adrian Anthony and Bart Sabel paced the Bussum club with a combined five RBIs. Nick Eppinga drove in three runs for Sparta/Feyenoord. Robin van Eis (1-0) collected the final seven outs to earn the win.

DUTCH LEAGUE:
1-Neptunus (19-1) 2-Kinheim (14-5) 3-HCAW (10-9) 4-Konica Minolta (10-11) 5-Amsterdam (9-10) 6-Sparta/Feyenoord (8-11) 7-Almere (4-14) 8-ADO (3-16)