Team Italy beats Crazy Sambonifacese 7-3 before defending U12 Euro Baseball Championship title

Team Italy beats Crazy Sambonifacese 7-3 before defending U12 Euro Baseball Championship title
07/08/2021
Prior to departing for the U12 European Baseball Championship in Mortsel, Belgium, the Azzurrini squad defeated the Crazy Sambonifacese All-Stars 7-3 on the new Offia diamond in San Bonifacio on August 7, 2021

Before the first pitch between the Team Italy U12 baseball squad and the Crazy Sambonifacese All-Stars, Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS) President Andrea Marcon, FIBS Veneto President Roberto Zagolin, San Bonifacio Mayor Giampaolo Provoli and Public Works Councilor Antonio Verona held a brief ceremony to celebrate the first game on Offia field. After the ribbon cutting as well as the first pitch thrown by Mayor Giampaolo Provoli and caught by Team Italy catcher Alida Campioni, a minute of silence was observed in memory of Bruno Bertani.

Team Italy U12 manager Stefano Burato sent out starting pitcher Patrick Silva, who surrendered one run to the Crazy Sambonifacese All-Stars. The Azzurrini offense answered with five runs thanks to clutch hitting from Dario Lomi and Alida CampioniTeam Italy left-handed reliever Federico Malagotti kept opposing hitters relatively quiet for five innings before the Italians added two more runs to their lead in the sixth inning when Elia Plusigh and Cristian Severino hit RBI singles with bases loaded. Closer Andrea Scalera entered the game in the seventh inning and gave up one run but ended the game on a positive note with a strikeout. 

Defending the U12 European Baseball Championship throne won in 2017, 2018 and 2019, Team Italy U12 manager Stefano Burato attempts for his fourth consecutive U12 European Baseball Championship title in Mortsel, Belgium from August 10-14, 2021. He said, "For the past five days, we simulated the European championship. In fact, we played two games in one day similar to what we will do on Wednesday with games against Hungary at 9:30 am followed by another contest against Czech Republic at 3 pm. The team did well and worked hard. We were convinced that the team gave their best effort." Forza #Italia! #U12Mortsel2021 

by Roberto Angotti

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Read more: Team Italy manager Stefano Burato reveals roster for U12 European Baseball Championship

(Photo of Team Italy slugger Dario Lomi by LG / FIBS)