Team Italy places ninth in Euro Baseball Championship after 6-5 win over Croatia
Having defeated Switzerland 12-3 the day prior in Třebíč, Team Italy traveled to nearby Blansko for its final game of the European Baseball Championship against Croatia. When the teams last met in Ronchi dei Legionari on Sunday, September 17, 2023 during the Italian Baseball Challenge, the Azzurri beat Croatia by a score of 6-2.
On this crisp Saturday night in the Czech Republic, Team Italy came from behind in the bottom of the eighth inning and scored five runs to beat Croatia 6-5 on September 30, 2023. The Italians called on starting pitcher Michele Vassalotti, who allowed one run on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk in 3.0 innings of work. Croatia countered with starting pitcher Jose Diaz, who gave up five runs on 10 hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in 7.1 innings.
The Italian lineup looked like this: Andrea Sellaroli, LF; Ricardo Paolini, 2B; Robel Garcia, 3B; Federico Celli, CF; Alberto Mineo, C; Vito Friscia, 1B; Mattia Mercuri, SS; Giulio Monello, DH; and Nathanael Batista, RF.
The Team Italy infield defense proved its weight in gold early in the contest. In the top of the first inning with one out. Croatia two-hole hitter Slobodan Gales singled off the glove of first baseman Vito Friscia, but any potential rally was quashed when Jose Herrera hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Catcher Alberto Mineo also displayed his quick release behind the dish in the top of the second inning when the stolen base attempt by Justin Olec resulted in the third out.
The Azzurri offense came close to taking the lead in the bottom of the first inning. Andrea Sellaroli legged out an infield single, advanced to second base on a throwing error to first by third baseman Nino Kruhek, moved on to third base on a flyout to right field by Robel Garcia but failed to score.
In the top of the third inning, Croatia missed out on a big scoring opportunity. First baseman Petar Rumora was hit by a pitch and advanced to second base on an ensuing wild pitch. Michele Vassalotti fought back with a quick strikeout of Bartol Crnjak. Nino Kruhek singled to put runners on the corners for leadoff hitter Kruno Gokjovic, who reached first base on a fielder’s choice when Petar Rumora was tagged out by catcher Alberto Mineo at the plate. A walk to Slobodan Gales loaded the bases for Jose Herrera, who struck out to end the Croatia scoring threat.
Team Italy could not get anything going in the bottom of the third inning despite a walk to Nathanael Batista.
Croatia scored the first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning. Catcher Phillip Smith led off with a triple in the right-center field gap and scored on an RBI double by Antonio Horvatic. Then reliever Mattia Sireus replaced Michele Vassalotti on the mound and prevented any further damage.
Team Italy came up empty again in the bottom of the fourth inning when Alberto Mineo doubled and was left stranded at second base without crossing the plate.
Croatia added one run to its slim lead in the top of the fifth inning. An infield single by Kruno Gokjovic, a walk to Slobodan Gales and an intentional walk to Philip Smith loaded the bases for Antonio Horvatic, who hit a sacrifice fly to left field and put Croatia ahead 2-0.
The Azzurri answered in the bottom of the fifth inning when the speedy Mattia Mercuri walked and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Giulio Monello.
Relief pitcher Mattia Sireus held Croatia scoreless in the top of the sixth inning and registered his third strikeout of the game.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Team Italy had the chance to tie the contest. Leadoff hitter Ricardo Paolini put down a perfectly-executed bunt between first and second base for a single. He got into scoring position on a stolen base but no further.
Azzurri reliever Nick Davis entered the contest in the top of the seventh inning and issued a leadoff walk to Slobodan Gales. A fielder’s choice by Jose Herrera produced the first out. After a walk to Phlip Smith and a fielder’s choice by Antonio Horvatic, Justin Olic hit a two-run single to give Croatia the 4-1 lead. A strikeout of Petar Rumora stifled the offensive rally.
Team Italy made a valiant effort to score in the bottom of the seventh inning. After a leadoff single to center field by Vito Friscia, Mattia Mercuri reached first base on a fielder’s choice; however, the prospect of cutting the deficit ended when Giulio Monello hit into a 6-4-3 double play.
Reliever Alex Bassani replaced Nick Davis and threw a scoreless top of the eighth inning.
The Italians scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. After an infield single by Nathanael Batista, a bunt single from Andrea Sellaroli and a fielder’s choice by Ricardo Paolini, Robel Garcia and Federico Celli connected with RBI singles. With bases loaded, Vito Friscia came through in the clutch with a two-run single. Croatia went to the bullpen and summoned reliever Jose Mendoza. Mattia Mercuri picked up an RBI with his groundout before the inning was over..
With a 6-4 advantage approaching the top of the ninth inning, Alex Bassani returned to the mound. Slobodan Gales led off with a single. Then Jose Herrera reached second base on a throwing error to first by shortstop Mattia Mercuri. Alex Bassani struck out Philip Smith for the first out. Slobodan Gales scored on a groundout by Antonio Horvatic to make it a 6-5 game. A walk to Justin Olic put runners on the corners and prompted a pitching change. Reliever Marco Artitzu entered the ballgame and struck out pinch hitter Ronald Krsolovic to preserve the win for Team Italy.
Great Britain and Spain play in the Euro Gold Medal game in Brno on Sunday, November 1, 2023 at 6:30 pm (local time), while the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Germany clash in the battle for the bronze earlier in the day at 12 noon (local time). Watch the Euro Baseball Championship livestream HERE.
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Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy leaving the field at the end of the European Baseball Championship game against Croatia on September 30, 2023 by Corrado Benedetti/DUCK FOTO PRESS)
