Despite trailing 2-0 after one inning, the Team Italy U12 squad rallied back with seven runs in the second inning, three runs in the third inning and another two runs in the fifth inning to induce a 12-2 mercy-rule victory over Lithuania in the U12 European Baseball Championship in Vienna, Austria on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.
Team Italy manager Stefano Burato used three pitchers in the contest. Winning pitcher Justin Gangbo surrendered two runs on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks during his two innings of work. Relievers Sabrina Bottazzi and Antonio Vaio did not allow a hit for the remainder of the game and collectively struck out five but also issued five walks.
The Azzurrini offense was fueled by leadoff hitter Matteo Almonte, who went 2-for-3 with one home run, one walk, three RBI and two runs scored. Second baseman Riccardo Orsenigo picked up two hits and scored two times. Cleanup hitter Dorian Cornelli raked at the plate and nearly completed the cycle. In addition to contributing three RBI via single, double and triple, he scored twice. Left fielder Noah Uttaro drove in two runs and walked, while pitcher Justin Gangbo helped himself to a win by hitting a two-run double and scoring once.
LITHUANIA-ITALY BOX SCORE
Team Italy returns on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 10 am (local time) for a clash against Hungary. The international competition continues through July 9, 2022. Forza #Italia!
U12 EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy shortstop Carlo Pezzullo tagging out the Lithuanian runner in the U12 European Baseball Championship by KS/FIBS)
Read more: Team Italy defends U12 Euro Baseball Championship title in Vienna from July 5-9, 2022
