With 13-0 shutout over France, Team Italy advances to U12 Euro Baseball Championship semifinals

With 13-0 shutout over France, Team Italy advances to U12 Euro Baseball Championship semifinals
12/08/2021
A combined one-hitter by Team Italy starting pitcher Manfredi Gambera and reliever Andrea Scalera led to a five-inning mercy-rule 13-0 shutout over France on August 12, 2021 and advanced the Azzurrini squad to the U12 European Baseball Championship semifinals in Mortsel, Belgium

Team Italy manager Stefano Burato made all the right moves in the must-win game game against France in the U12 European Baseball Championship in Mortsel, Belgium on Thursday, August 12, 2021. The Italian skipper set the tone of the contest by putting starter Manfredi Gambera on the pitching mound and keeping France quiet for four innings. It wasn't until the top of the fifth inning when the French managed to get their only base hit of the game off relief pitcher Andrea Scalera.

The Team Italy offense wasted no time in getting on the board early in the bottom of the first inning when taking a 3-0 advantage. The Italians nailed the coffin shut with a seven-run rally in the bottom of the second inning and added more three runs for good measure in the bottom of the third inning to take a commanding 13-0 lead.

The Azzurrini offensive attack came from many sources. Slugger Matteo Chinello hit a three-run home run and an RBI double. Pablo Suarez and Matteo Chinello also had RBI doubles. Dario Lomi contributed with an RBI triple as did Emanuele Arcieri with an RBI single.

BOX SCORE

Team Italy moves on to the U12 European Baseball Championship semifinals and plays undefeated Germany on Friday, August 13, 2021 at 2:30 pm (local time). Kingdom of the Netherlands and undefeated Czech Republic battle in the other semifinal game. Forza #Italia!

CALENDAR, RESULTS AND PLAY-BY-PLAY

STANDINGS

by Roberto Angotti

(Photo of Team Italy slugger Matteo Chinello after hitting a home run against France in the 2021 U12 European Baseball Championship by LG/FIBS)