Undefeated Team Italy (3-0) won for the third time by mercy rule in the U15 European Baseball Championship with a 12-2 victory over Kingdom of the Netherlands on Friday, July 23, 2021 in Trnava, Slovakia. As a result, the Italians travel to Brno, Czech Republic and play in the U15 European Baseball Championship semi-finals on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 2:30 pm (local time).
Team Italy manager Roberto De Franceschi used a quartet of Azzurrini pitchers to control the Dutch. Starter Dario Buriani (1.2 IP, 2H, K, 3BB), relievers Filippo Sabatini (1.1 IP, 2H, R, 2K), Luca Magnani (1 IP, 5H, R, 2 K, 5 BB) and winning pitcher Daniele Di Persia (2 IP, H, K, BB) combined to allow just two runs.
Daniele Di Persia helped himself at the plate to earn the victory with a three-run home run. Other offensive highlights included a walk-off mercy-rule RBI single from Francesco Gallo, two doubles by Christian De Boni and a three RBI triple from Edoardo Cornelli. Forza #Italia!
BOX SCORE
by Roberto Angotti
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
(Photo of the Team Italy U15 squad celebrating after Francesco Gallo’s walk-off RBI single against Kingdom of the Netherlands by KS/FIBS)
