After beating France 11-4 the day prior, Team Italy remained undefeated with a 24-2 win over Great Britain at the U12 European Baseball Championship in Valenciennes, France on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Azzurrini starting pitcher Serse Benelli threw two innings and allowed two runs on two hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Reliever Nicolo Dal Castello pitched one hitless inning with one strikeout.
After Great Britain took a slim 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Team Italy answered with six runs in the first inning, 15 runs in the second inning and three runs in the third inning. Slugger Leonardo Perracino led the offensive charge with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored. Thomas Chinello hit a three-run homer. Carlo Pezzullo went 2-for-2 with a double, three RBI and three runs scored. Mattia Campanini had two hits with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.
The bottom of the Team Italy lineup was also productive: Alessandro Barbieri (2-for-2, 2 RBI, 3 R), Serse Benelli (2-for-2, RBI, BB, 3R) and Marco Guisti (1-for-2, 3 RBI, BB, R).
GREAT BRITAIN-ITALY BOX SCORE
Team Italy finishes Group A round-robin play with a game on Friday at 9:30 am (ET) against Germany.
If the Team Italy wins Group A, the Italians advance to the semifinals on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 3:30 pm (local time) and face the Group B second place finisher.
If Team Italy places second in Group A, the Italians advance to the semifinals on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 6 pm (local time) and play the Group B winner.
The winners of the semifinal games compete in the gold medal game on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 6 pm (local time), while the losers of the semifinal games battle for the bronze earlier in the day at 3:30 pm.
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
U12 EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
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(Photo of Team Italy slugger Leonardo Perraccino celebrating with Azzurrini squad after his second home run against Great Britain by LG-FIBS)
