The Italians were underdogs against 10th-ranked Australia in their fifth and final Group B contest in the U18 Baseball World Cup at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida on Tuesday, September 13, 2022. Team Italy wanted to turn the tables on the Aussies after having lost to them 15-1 in the 2017 U18 Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay, Canada.
Team Italy U18 manager Francesco Aluffi started pitcher Davide Montanari, who gave up four runs on five hits with three strikeouts and one walk in six innings of work. Lefty Sebastiano Castellani surrendered one run on one hit with one strikeout and one walk in his one inning of relief.
Australia scored one run in the top of first inning and another in the top of the second inning. Team Italy got on the board in the bottom of the second inning after captain Tommaso Adorni walked and crossed the plate on an RBI triple by Marco Ragionieri.
The Azzurri took advantage of control issues by Australia starting pitcher Miller Bell to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning. Edoardo Cornelli led off with a single, advanced to second base when Manuel Zazza was hit by a pitch and tagged up to reach third base on a flyout to center field by Williams Wong. Then a wild pitch by the Aussie hurler allowed Edoardo Cornelli to score.
The Italians were unable to execute with runners on base and nobody out in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Filippo Venditti singled and Marco Ragionieri was hit by a pitch, Diego Luciani failed to get the sacrifice hunt down and ended up fouling out. Then Aussie reliever Adam Bates dug down deep and struck out Edoardo Cornelli and Manuel Zazza to stop the scoring threat.
Team Italy had another golden opportunity in the bottom of the fifth inning when issued two walks, but the Italians once again came up empty. Williams Wong led off with a walk, advanced to second base on a passed ball and moved on to third base on a bad throw to second by the pitcher on a failed pickoff attempt. Andres Annunziata grounded out to second, but Williams Wong stayed on third base. Then Tommaso Adorni was granted a walk to put runners on the corners with one out.
Australia went to the bullpen and summoned Callum Wallace, who quickly struck out Alessandro Volpe and successfully assisted in Williams Wong being caught stealing and called out at home plate on a double steal attempt. Team Italy manager Francesco Aluffi challenged the call, but umpires did not change their ruling.
After a scoreless sixth inning and the game remaining tied 2-2, Australia scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning. Team Italy fought back in the bottom of the seventh inning. Back-to-back singles by Alessandro Laise and Williams Wong coupled with a walk to Andres Annunziata loaded the bases for Tommaso Adorni.
Australia had seen enough and brought in closer Riley Marsh. Tommaso Adorni hit a sacrifice fly deep enough to center field for Alessandro Laise to score. Then Alessandro Volpe picked up an RBI on his fielder's choice. Unfortunately, Filippo Venditti popped up to the pitcher for the third out to end the game, and the Italians came up short in the 5-4 loss to the Aussies.
AUSTRALIA-ITALY BOX SCORE
Team Italy (0-5) gets a day a rest before beginning the U18 Baseball World Cup Placement Round to determine 7th through 12th place. The Italians play South Africa at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 9 am (ET). Team Italy returns to Sarasota on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 9 am (ET) for a battle against Canada. The Azzurri play the final game of the U18 Baseball World Cup Placement Round at Ed Smith Stadium against Brazil on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 9 am (ET). The U18 Baseball World Cup Gold and Bronze Medal Games are scheduled for Sunday, September 18, 2022.
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Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy first baseman Filippo Venditti receives the ball in a pickoff attempt against Australia courtesy of WBSC)
