Team Italy places third in U23 European Baseball Championship after 8-1 no-hitter over Great Britain

Team Italy places third in U23 European Baseball Championship after 8-1 no-hitter over Great Britain
28/08/2021
A combined three Team Italy pitcher no-hitter eclipsed Great Britain to give the Italians an 8-1 victory in the European Baseball Championship battle for the bronze in San Martino Buon Albergo on August 28, 2021

After losing 1-0 to Germany the day prior in the European Baseball Championship semifinal, Team Italy had to settle for the bronze by defeating Great Britain 8-1 in San Martino Buon Albergo on Saturday, August 28, 2021. Team Italy manager Alberto D’Auria made the right call when starting pitcher Mattia Aldegheri, who threw four hitless innings with nine strikeouts and three walks against the Brits to secure the victory and ultimately place third in the U23 European Baseball Championship.

The Azzurri offense scored its first run in the top of the second inning. Cesare Astorri singled and later crossed the plate on a double steal. Team Italy came back in the top of the third inning for two more runs. Riccardo Bertossi reached first base on an infield error, stole second base and advanced to third base when Samuele Gamberini got to first base on another infield error. Back-to-back RBI singles by Giulio Monello and Cesare Astorri gave the Italians a 3-0 lead.

Team Italy put four runs on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Giulio Da Re led off with a walk and advanced to third base on a double by Davide Meliori. RBI singles from Riccardo Flisi and Riccardo Bertossi followed. After Daniel Monti walked, Samuele Gamberini hit into a 6-4-3 double play which allowed Riccardo Flisi to cross the plate. Then an RBI single by Giulio Monello gave Team Italy a commanding 7-0 advantage.

Great Britain scored its only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Reliever Francesco Bonvini experienced control issues after hitting the first batters he faced and then throwing two wild pitches which yielded one run. It appeared Team Italy was about to end the game via mercy rule in the top of the sixth inning, but the Azzurri came up short and only scored one run. The Italians loaded the bases after Daniel Monti walked, Samuele Gamberini doubled, and Giulio Monello reached first base on an error by catcher Ben Leid. A sacrifice fly by Cesare Astorri amounted to the lone run.

Closer Marco Artitzu entered the contest in the bottom of the sixth inning and issued three walks but escaped injury to keep the combined three Team Italy pitcher no-hitter alive. He returned to pitch a hitless bottom of the seventh inning. With the 8-1 win over Great BritainTeam Italy finished the U23 European Baseball Championship with a 4-1 record and earned the bronze medal. Forza #Italia!

BOX SCORE

FIBSTV.com presents the U23 European Baseball Championship gold medal game between undefeated Kingdom of the Netherlands and Germany live and direct from Verona today at 2:30 pm (ET).

RESULTS

FINAL STANDINGS

STATS LEADER BOARD

by Roberto Angotti

(Photo of Team Italy winning pitcher Mattia Aldegheri against Great Britain in the U23 European Baseball Championship battle for the bronze by Lynx Prod.)