In what could easily be a preview of two teams that are likely to meet again in the European Baseball Championship quarterfinals, Team Italy and Czech Republic played the first of two exhibition games at Draci Arena in Brno. Czech veteran and local favorite Martin Schneider took the mound, while Team Italy manager Mike Piazza sent out starter Gabriele Quattrini.
The Azzurri were unable to take advantage of some walks early in the game. The Czechs were first to score their only run of the game in the bottom of the third inning when Vojtech Mensik homered off Gabriele Quattrini, who allowed one run on three hits with two walks and five strikeouts in three innings of work.
Team Italy answered with four runs in the top of the fourth inning off relief pitcher Thomas Ondra. to take a commanding 4-1 lead. Cesare Astori singled and scored on an RBI double down the left-field line by Giulio Monello. Then an RBI single by Sebastiano Poma, an RBI double by Mattia Mercuri and an RBI single from leadoff hitter Nathanael Batista gave the Azzurri a commanding 4-1 lead.
A quartet of Italian relievers Maurizio Andretta (2 IP, H, 2K), Nick Davis (1 IP, H, K), Matthias Sireus (2 IP, BB, K) and Alex Bassani (1 IP, BB, K) held Czech Republic scoreless for the rest of the contest.
Team Italy added three runs in the top of the ninth inning off relief pitcher Jake Rabinowitz to make it a 7-1 game. Back-to-back home runs from Andrea Selaroli and Robel Garcia was followed by a single by Cesare Astorri, who later crossed the plate after a single from Giulio Monello and an ensuing throwing error. Despite not scoring any runs during the game, the hot-hitting Federico Celli went 2-for-4 (including one double) with one walk.
ITALY-CZECH REPUBLIC BOX SCORE
The Italians return for a rematch against the Czechs on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 7 am (ET). Watch the livestream free at www.baseballeurope.tv or by clicking on the link below:
September 22, 2023 7:00 am (ET) Czech Republic @ Team Italy
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PREPARATORY GAME SCHEDULE/RESULTS
EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE/RESULTS
(Photo of Giulio Monello at second base after hitting an RBI double against Czech Republic on September 21, 2023)
