After losing to Czechs, Team Italy beats Hungary in U12 Euro Baseball Championship

After losing to Czechs, Team Italy beats Hungary in U12 Euro Baseball Championship
11/08/2021
After suffering a 7-3 loss to Czech Republic in the morning, Team Italy rebounded with a four-inning mercy-rule 21-1 win over Hungary in the afternoon on day two of the U12 European Baseball Championship in Mortsel, Belgium

CZECH REPUBLIC 7-TEAM ITALY 3

Three-time defending Euro champion Team Italy got a reality check early on day two of the the U12 European Baseball Championship in Mortsel, Belgium when Czech Republic upset the Italians 7-3 on August 11, 2021. As a result, Team Italy must win all remaining 2021 Euro competition games in order to successfully defend the U12 European Baseball Championship throne.

Team Italy U12 manager Stefano Burato called on starting pitcher Federico Magalotti (2IP, 3H, ER, BB, 3K). He gave up one run in the top of the second inning. The Azzurrini answered with one run in the bottom of the second inning. After Mattia Pasotto and Alida Campioni were issued walks, Dario Lomi reached first base on an infield throwing error which also allowed Mattia Passotto to cross the plate.

Reliever Thomas Cechet entered the game in the top of the third inning and looked promising with a strikeout of the first batter he faced. However, an ensuing single and three consecutive walks led to another pitching change. Michele Dal Pozzo (2IP, H, 2R/1ER, 2BB, 3K) did his very best to limit the damage, but by the end of the half inning Team Italy was down 7 to 1.

The young and promising Italians put up two runs in the bottom of the third inning to close the gap. With one out, Matteo Chinello hit an inside-the-park home run. Back-to-back singles from Federico Magalotti and Mattia Pasotto followed by Alida Campioni's RBI single made it a 7-3 game.

Closer Matteo Chinello (1.2IP, H, BB, 4K) kept Team Italy in the game, but he could not get any offensive help against the Czechs. In the end, Czech Republic prevailed in the 7-3 victory over Team Italy.

GAME 1 BOX SCORE

TEAM ITALY 21-HUNGARY 1

The Team Italy U12 baseball squad rebounded with a four-inning mercy-rule 21-1 win over Hungary on Wednesday afternoon, August 11, 2021 in Mortsel, Belgium. Italian winning pitcher Loris Storti threw a one-hitter with one strikeout and two walks. He also helped his team offensively going 4-for-4 with a double, stolen base, two RBI and two runs scored. Pablo Suarez was also a perfect 4-for-4 but with two doubles, four RBI and four runs scored.

Team Italy leadoff hitter Dario Lomi served as the Azzurrini spark plug as he tripled, walked, scored three times and registered two RBI. It was a total team effort as everyone contributed on some level to the victory. Team Italy manager Stefano Burato said, "Thanks to Loris Storti's performance we managed to save our pitchers for tomorrow when we play France in a game we absolutely must win."

GAME 2 BOX SCORE

Team Italy faces France on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 12:15 pm (local time) in a must-win game in order to advance to the semifinals and play the winner of Group B (either Germany or Kingdom of the Netherlands) on Friday, August 13, 2021 at 2:30 pm (local time). Forza #Italia!

CALENDAR, RESULTS AND PLAY-BY-PLAY

STANDINGS

by Roberto Angotti

Read also: Team Italy opens U12 European Baseball Championship with 23-0 shutout over Poland

(Photo of Team Italy's Elia Plusig running to first base against Czech Republic by LG/FIBS)