Team Italy falls victim to Dutch in extra-inning U12 European Baseball Championship bronze medal game

Team Italy falls victim to Dutch in extra-inning U12 European Baseball Championship bronze medal game
08/07/2022
Leading 3-1 in the top of the sixth inning, Team Italy was two outs away from a bronze medal finish in the U12 European Baseball Championship in Vienna, Austria on Saturday, July 9, 2022 when control issues haunted the Italians and forced extra innings. The Netherlands eventually won 12-5

In a perfect world, Team Italy would have won its fourth consecutive U12 European Baseball Championship in Vienna, Austria on Saturday, July 9, 2022. However, Azzurrini manager Stefano Burato had to settle for a chance to bring home the bronze medal after losing in the U12 European Baseball Championship semifinal game against Germany by a score of 5-1 on Friday, July 8, 2022. Prior to the loss, the Italians were undefeated and had outscored opponents 40-4 in the U12 European Baseball Championship.

Team Italy had beaten the Netherlands 8-2 earlier in the tournament so the Azzurrini were confident In the battle for the bronze against the Dutch on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Team Italy jumped out to the 3-0 lead in the the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Carlo Pezzullo singled to right, advanced to second base when the face got away from the right fielder, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice fly by Riccardo Orsenigo. After back-to-back singles from Diego Di Chiara and Dorian Cornelli, Gabrielle Pucci reached on an infield error to load the bases for Noah Uttaro. He came through in the clutch with an RBI single. Another run crossed the plate when Marco Viani was issued a walk.

Team Italy skipper Stefano Burato sent out starting pitcher Diego Di Chiara, who threw 5.1 innings and left the contest with a 3-1 lead before reliever Carlo Pezzulo entered the game in the top of the sixth inning and immediately had control issues. Gabriele Pucci was summoned with two runners in scoring position with one out. He surrendered a two-run double so that the Dutch tied the game 3-3. The Italians were unable to generate any offense in the bottom of the sixth inning, and the bronze medal game went into extra innings.

The tie-breaker rule was put into effect in the top of the seventh inning when runners were placed on first and second base. Relievers Gabriele Pucci, Sabrina Bottazzi, Riccardo Orsengo and Justin Gangbo could not stop the Netherlands as the Dutch took a commanding 12-3 lead.

The clearly deflated Team Italy offense made a futile comeback attempt in the bottle of the seventh inning when Noah Uttaro hit a two-run double. But it was too little, too late and the Netherlands went on to win 12-5 to capture the bronze medal.

NETHERLANDS-ITALY BOX SCORE

NETHERLANDS-ITALY LIVE STREAM REPLAY

Although it was a disappointing fourth-place finish for Team Italy in the U12 European Baseball Championship, the Azzurrini squad played better than the end result. Germany defeated Czech Republic 10-9 in extra innings to win the gold medal.

Team Italy now prepares for its next challenge in the WBSC U12 World Cup in Tainan City, Taiwan from July 29-August 7, 2022. Forza #Italia!

U12 EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

U12 EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL STANDINGS

by Roberto Angotti

(Team Italy in the U12 European Baseball Championship by KS/FIBS)