IBAF 18U: Italy takes down fellow European 11-1 to score first win

SEOUL – Team Italy put their first game in the win column of the IBAF 18U Baseball World Championship.  The victory was a 7 inning, game-shortened 12-1 blowout over the Czech Republic. 

The win comes after two narrows losses against teams from the Americas.  Italy was first stopped 2-0 by Panama to kick off the event, and then on Saturday, Canada inched by Italy 4-3.

The Netherlands is also representing Europe, but Italy’s win against the Czech Republic is the first win by a European team.

There is stiff competition all-around, and the IBAF 18U championship is arguably the most competitive and balanced international baseball tournament in the world, with all countries bringing their fiercest and most hard-hitting artillery.

Next up for Italy is the always feared Japanese team.  Team Japan is 2-1, and like Italy, dropped a one-run game to Canada.