Team Italy went toe-to-toe with undefeated Japan during Haarlem Baseball Week for four complete innings at Pim Mulier Stadium in Haarlem, the Netherlands on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. Azzurri starter and New York Mets pitching prospect Claudio Scotti threw four scoreless innings and allowed just two hits with two strikeouts and one walk to keep the Italians in the contest against the defending Haarlem Baseball Week Champion.
Japan countered with lefty starting pitcher Kota Yazawa, who kept the Team Italy offense limited to an infield single by Andrea Sellaroli with 11 strikeouts in six innings of work.
The Japanese enjoyed the change of scenery when Team Italy starter Claudio Scotti left the ballgame and the fate of the contest was in the hands of the bullpen in the top of the fifth inning. Lefty reliever Maurizio Andretta gave up a leadoff double to Ryu Sugisawa just over the head of third baseman Mattia Mercuri. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner to third base and an ensuing wild pitch allowed the Japanese to take a slim 1-0 advantage.
Matteo Bocchi entered the game in relief of pitcher Maurizio Andretta in the top of the sixth inning with bases loaded. A two-run single by Rintaro Tsujimoto gave Japan the 3-0 lead. Matteo Bocchi fought back with a strikeout of Ryu Sugisawa, but Yuya Shinto hit a two-run double to put Japan in front 5-0.
Japan added four more runs in the top of the seventh inning off reliever Yomel Rivera to make it a 9 to 0 game. Japanese relief pitcher Kentaro Shinogi barely kept the shutout in place when leaving runners on the corners after giving up singles to Vito Frescia and Dario Pizzano.
JAPAN-ITALY BOX SCORE
Team Italy concludes Haarlem Baseball Week Opening Round play against Cuba on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 12 noon (local time). The international competition continues through Friday, July 15, 2022. Forza #Italia!
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by Roberto Angotti
