A three-way tie between Germany, France and Team Italy coupled with the computations of team quality balance resulted in the Italians being excluded from the U23 European Baseball Championship semifinals. In the semifinal clash between undefeated Kingdom of the Netherlands and France, the Dutch prevailed with a 6-5 win and earned the right to compete in the Euro Gold Medal Game in Wiener Neustadt, Austria on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 7 pm (local time).
KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS-FRANCE BOX SCORE
VIDEO REPLAY
In the other semifinal game between Great Britain and Germany, the Brits won 6-5 to punch their ticket to the Euro Gold Medal Game with hopes for revenge against Kingdom of the Netherlands after losing a 1-0 shutout to the Dutch on August 10, 2023. Germany and France compete in the battle for the bronze in Schwechat, Austria on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 2:30 pm (local time).
GREAT BRITAIN-GERMANY BOX SCORE
VIDEO REPLAY
With their hunt for a best case scenario fifth-place finish in the U23 European Baseball Championship, Team Italy played for redemption against Euro host Austria on Friday, August 11, 2023. Azzurri U23 manager Alberto D’Auria called on starter Federico Virgadaula, who allowed one earned run on two hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Reliever Francesco Bonvini pitched three scoreless innings and gave up just one hit with four strikeouts and one walk.
Team Italy scored twice in the bottom of the first inning and then added one run in the bottom of the third inning. Austria put up two runs in the top of the third inning. The Italians answered with eight runs in the bottom of the third inning and went on to win 11-2.
The Azzurri offense was led by Tommaso Giarola (2-for-5, RBI, R), Lorenzo Morresi (2-for-2, 2B, BB, RBI, 2 R), Andres Annunziata (1-for-1, 2B, 2 BB, RBI, R), Daniel Monti (1-for-4, 2 RBI, R) and Tommaso Battioni (2-for-3, RBI, R).
ITALY-AUSTRIA BOX SCORE
VIDEO REPLAY
Team Italy returns to Schwechat to play its final game of the U23 European Baseball Championship against Czech Republic on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 10 am (local time).
U23 EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
U23 EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
LIVESTREAM
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Matteo Oldano at bat against Austria by Lucio Zeta)
