Team Italy was very much in the game against USA until the wheels fell off in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Americans took control of the contest with an offensive onslaught of six hits (including one home run, one triple and two doubles) producing eight runs on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands. The Azzurri defense also committed two critical errors to add insult to injury in the 9-0 loss to USA.
The Italians left 12 men on base throughout the game without scoring. Team Italy captain and first baseman Alberto Mineo went 2-for-3. Azzurri third baseman Renzo Martini was a perfect 2-for-2 with two walks. Second baseman Ricardo Paolini collected the team's fifth hit with a bunt single. In the end, the 9-0 shutout to USA was the second consecutive loss for Team Italy after losing two days earlier to Kingdom of the Netherlands by a score of 2-1.
Azzurri pitching coach and national baseball coordinator Bobby Cramer said, "In these two games (against Kingdom of the Netherlands and USA) we have not been able to play the best of our ability. We have been putting runners on base, but we do not bring them home. This gives inertia and energy to the opponents and puts a lot of pressure on our pitchers. We did a great job on defense and on the mound against Kingdom of the Netherlands, while today we struggled in all respects."
Team Italy starting pitcher Murilo Gouvea threw 3.1 innings and was charged with five runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked one. Reliever Yomel Rivera could not get one out during his short 13-pitch stint when surrendering three runs on three hits and walking one. Mattia Aldegheri only allowed one hit during his 1.2 innings of work. 16-year-old Diego Gergolet made his Haarlem Baseball Week pitching debut in the bottom of the sixth inning. He gave up one run on two hits but ended his 13-pitch appearance with a strikeout.
ITALY-USA BOX SCORE
The Italians battle Curacao on Monday, July 11, 2022 at 3:30 pm (local time) before taking on defending champion Japan the following day at 12 noon (local time). Team Italy concludes Haarlem Baseball Week Opening Round play against Cuba on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 12 noon (local time).
The top four teams will qualify for the semifinals on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm (local time). The two winners will go head-to-head in the Haarlem Baseball Week Championship on Friday, July 15, 2022 at 7 pm (local time). The two losers will play in the Bronze Medal Game earlier in the day at 2 pm (local time). Forza #Italia!
HAARLEM BASEBALL WEEK SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
HAARLEM BASEBALL WEEK NEWS
by Roberto Angotti
