Team Italy loses to Mexico 12-7 in U18 Baseball World Cup

Team Italy loses to Mexico 12-7 in U18 Baseball World Cup
11/09/2022
Team Italy lost to Mexico 12-7 on day three of the U18 Baseball World Cup at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida on Sunday, September 11, 2022.

After enduring a heartbreaking 2-1 walk-off loss to U18 Baseball World Cup defending champion Chinese Taipei the day prior, Team Italy experienced another equally disappointing 12-7 defeat to Mexico at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida on Sunday, September 11, 2022.

Team Italy U18 manager Francesco Aluffi started pitcher Giacomo Taschin, who threw 2.2 innings and allowed six runs on seven hits with one strikeout and three walks before being relieved by Cristian Laghi.

After Mexico scored one run in the top of the first inning, Team Italy answered with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Back-to-back singles by Edoardo Cornelli and Manuel Zazza was followed by a wild pitch thrown by Mexico starting pitcher Jesus Lopez. With two runners in scoring position, Williams Wong cashed in with a two-run single to give Team Italy a slim 2-1 advantage.

The Team Italy one-run lead disintegrated into a four-run deficit in the top of the third inning when the Mexican offense erupted with a five-run fury. Mexico added another run in the top of the fourth inning off reliever Cristian Laghi.

Down 7-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Team Italy put one run on the board to make it a 7 to 3 game. Alessandro Volpe singled, advanced to second when Diego Luciano walked, moved on to third on a single by Manuel Zazza and scored on a wild pitch by Mexico reliever Victor Landeros.

Team Italy reliever Matteo Marelli surrendered two runs to Mexico in the top of the fifth inning. The Italians came back to score four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to chip away at the Mexico 9-7 lead.

After reliever Angel Garza hit Sebastiano Catellani and issued a walk to Niccolò Funzione, Marco Ragionieri singled to load the bases for Alessandro Volpe. The talented Italian-Canadian outfielder came through in the clutch with a two-run double. Mexico went to the bullpen and summoned Luis Ramirez, who issued a walk to Diego Luciani and then was immediately replaced by reliever Anhuar Garcia. Edoardo Cornelli relished the change of scenery on the mound and hit an RBI double down the right field line to put Team Italy within two runs of the lead.

Mexico tacked on three insurance runs charged to Team Italy relief pitcher Matteo Marelli in the top of the seventh inning. Despite a single by Alessandro Volpe in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Azzurri offense was unable to make a last minute surge. In the end, Mexico prevailed in the 12-7 victory over Team Italy.

MEXICO-ITALY BOX SCORE

Team Italy returns to LECOM Park in Bradenton for a battle against 13th-ranked Panama on Monday, September 12, 2022 at 3 pm (ET). The U18 Baseball World Cup continues through Sunday, September 18, 2022.

TEAM ITALY SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

TEAM ITALY U18 BASEBALL NEWS

U18 BASEBALL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

U18 BASEBALL WORLD CUP LIVE STREAM

Forza #Italia!

by Roberto Angotti

(Photo of Team Italy second baseman Williams Wong throwing to first base to complete a double play against Mexico in the U18 Baseball World Cup courtesy of WBSC)