Team Italy was defeated 14-4 by KIngdom of the Netherlands in the U15 European Baseball Championship FInal in Trnava, Slovakia on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Despite the less than desired end result, the silver lining was qualifying for the 2024 U15 Baseball World Cup.
The Italians scored one run in the top of the first inning, but the Dutch answered with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Kingdom of the Netherlands came back to score six more and take a commanding 9-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning.
Team Italy rallied for three runs in the top of the third inning, but their Euro rivals matched with three of their own to make it a 12-4 game. Kingdom of the Netherlands put the game away via mercy rule in the bottom of the fifth inning when scoring two more runs.
Team Italy catcher Corrado Resca went a perfect 3-for-3 (including a two-run double). Leadoff hitter Andrea Destro singled, walked and scored twice. Federico Magalotti and Thomas Pitteri collected the only other hits for the Azzurrini squad.
ITALY-KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS BOX SCORE
VIDEO REPLAY
U15 EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
U15 EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL STANDINGS
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti