On day one of U15 European Baseball Championship Group A action in Trnava, Slovakia, Team Italy edged Germany 7-6 and reigning champion Czech Republic dominated Hungary 13-3 in six innings. Host Slovakia suffered a four-inning 16-0 mercy-rule shutout to France in Group B.
Team Italy starting pitcher Gabriele Cirinà surrendered three runs in the top of the first inning to Germany. The Italians answered with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. An RBI single by Patrick SIlva coupled with a pair of balks by Germany pitcher Pepe Stockhaus allowed two more runs to cross the plate and tie the game up 3-3.
Germany took the 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth inning when Kyran Norgren scored on a wild pitch by winning pitcher Ivan Larice. Team Italy rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. A bases loaded walk to Federico Maggalotti tied the game 4-4. Then Alessandro Garavaglia hit a two-run single to put the Italians ahead. With the bases loaded, Corrado Resca was hit by a pitch to add what would be the decisive run in the 7-6 victory as Germany scored twice in the top of the sixth inning. Team Italy relievers Andrea Bergamasco and Patrick Silva got the job done in protecting the slim lead.
ITALY-GERMANY BOX SCORE
ITALY-GERMANY VIDEO REPLAY
On the second day of U15 European Baseball Championship Group A play, Team Italy crushed Hungary in a five-inning 16-6 mercy-rule game and Czech Republic defeated Germany 12-2 in six innings. Kingdom of the Netherlands beat France 13-9 in Group B.
After Team Italy starter Daniele Albertini gave up four consecutive hits and the Azzurrini defense committed an infield error, Hungary was up 2-0 in the top of the fist inning. The Italians answered with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. A double by Andrea Destro was followed by a walk to Alessandro Garavaglia. Then a two-run triple by Lorenzo Maiorelli hit a a two-run triple and later scored on a passed ball. After a walk to Emanuele Ceccariglia, Matteo Chinello delivered an RBI double to give Team Italy a 4-2 advantage.
The Azzurrini offense went back to work in the bottom of the second inning when scoring two runs. Andrea Destro walked and advanced to third base on a single by Federico Magalotti. Then RBI machine Alessandro Garavaglia hit a two-run single to put Team Italy on top 6-2.
Winning pitcher Federico Rizzi relieved starter Daniele Albertini after a pair of infield errors coupled with a passed ball yielded Hungary two runs in the top of the third inning.
Team Italy scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a comfortable 11-4 lead. The Azzurrini offensive attack was highlighted by an RBI triple from Michael Cifalinò and RBI singles from Alessandro Garavaglia and Corrado Resca.
Reliever Federico Rizzi surrendered a two-run home to Hungary first baseman Benedek Peller in the top of the fourth inning. An RBI single by Federico Maggalotti in the bottom of the fourth inning allowed Team Italy to get ahead 12-6.
After three consecutive walks by relief pitcher Valentino Chinedozi in the top of the fifth inning, Team Italy U15 manager Gianguido Poma summoned reliever Giovanni Buiatti from the bullpen to successfully hold Hungary scoreless.
The Italians rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to end the contest via mercy rule. Three consecutive singles by Matteo Chinello, Giovanni Buiatti, Michael Cifalinò was followed by RBI singles by Federico Magalotti and Alessandro Garavaglia. Then Lorenzo Maiorelli was issued a walk, and Corrado Resca was hit by a pitch to add another run. Another walk to Emanuele Ceccariglia secured the five-inning 16-6 mercy-rule victory.
ITALY-HUNGARY BOX SCORE
ITALY-HUNGARY VIDEO REPLAY
Team Italy plays defending champion Czech Republic on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 7:30 am (ET) to determine the top-seed in U15 European Baseball Championship Group A . Both teams qualify for the semifinals, which take place on Friday, July 21, 2023, and hope to compete in the U15 European Baseball Championship Gold Medal Final on Saturday July 22, 2023 at 11 am (ET). All games are streamed live through the WBSC Europe YouTube Channel.
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
TEAM ITALY ROSTER
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