Team Italy stepped up to the challenge of beating Kingdom of the Netherlands 7-5 on day three of the U18 European Baseball Championship on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 under the lights in Macerata. With the win, undefeated Team Italy (3-0) has secured the top seed in Group A and has guaranteed itself a U18 Euro Baseball Championship semi-final berth. The Italians will play the Group B runner-up on Friday, July 10, 2021 at 8 pm in Macerata. The winners of the semi-final games will advance to the U18 European Baseball Championship final on Saturday, July 11, 2021 at 6 pm in Macerata and automatically qualify for the U18 Baseball World Cup at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida from September 10-19, 2021.
Against Kingdom of the Netherlands, Team Italy manager Francesco Aluffi called on starter Edoardo Uttini. The crafty left-handed pitcher threw 4.2 innings against the Dutch and allowed four earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and one walk. Reliever Edoardo Zingarelli entered the contest in the bottom of the fifth inning and held Kingdom of the Netherlands to just one hit for the remainder of the game with five strikeouts and one walk.
The Team Italy offense was led by first baseman Samuele Gamberini (2-for-4, RBI, BB), catcher Francesco Segreto (1-for-2, 2R, BB), shortstop Federico Ricci (1-4, RBI, BB) third baseman Williams Wong (1-for-4, RBI, BB) and second baseman Francisco Moronta Rodriguez (1-for-3, R, RBI, BB).
With the 7-5 win over Kingdom of the Netherlands (1-1) in the books, the Italians play Israel (1-1) on Thursday, July 8 at 8 pm in Macerata. All the U18 European Baseball Championship games are streaming live at www.baseballsoftball.tv. The Euro Championship semi-finals on July10 and the Euro final game on July 11 will also be broadcast live on FIBSTV.com. Forza #Italia! #PerBill
by Roberto Angotti
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(Photo of Team Italy celebrating after 7-5 victory over Kingdom of the Netherlands by Lynx Prod.)
