After a 7-1 win over the Czechs the day prior, Team Italy returned to Draci Arena in Brno and suffered a 5-3 loss to Euro Baseball Championship host on Friday, September 22, 2023. As compared to the first exhibition game, the Azzurri made some minor adjustments the the lineup: Alberto Mineo moved from catcher to first base; Cesare Astorri became the designated hitter; Giulio Monello took over catching duties; and Tommaso Battioni replaced Mattia Mercuri at shortstop.
Team Italy manager Mike Piazza sent out starting pitcher Michele Vassalotti. Czech Republic countered with starter Filip Capka, who competed this year in the Dutch championship with the Oosterhout Twins.
The Czechs took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Jauk Kubuica singled, Eric Sogard doubled, and Marek Chlup picked up an RBI on his productive groundout. Michele Vassalotti pitched a total of three innings and allowed one run on three hits with four strikeouts. Reliever Nicolò Pinazzi threw a scoreless fourth inning with one strikeout.
Czech Republic added four runs in the top of the fifth inning off reliever Claudio Scotti. After a strikeout of Jakub Kubica, the Czech offense went to work. Back-to-back singles by Eric Sogard and Marek Chlup, a two-run triple from Matej Mensik and a two-run home run by William Escala put Czech Republic in front 5-0.
Team Italy answered in the bottom of the fifth inning when Federico Celli singled, Cesarre Astorri doubled and Sebastiano Poma hit a sacrifice fly to produce the first run for the Azzurri. Reliever Maurizio Andretta pitched a scoreless top of the sixth inning to keep the contest close.
The Italians scored twice in the bottom of the sixth inning after a leadoff single by Nathanael Batista and a two-run home run from slugger Robel Garcia to make it a 5-3 game. Reliever Marco Artitzu threw a scoreless top of the seventh inning with one strikeout. The Azzurri offense was unable score in the bottom of the seventh inning, and the Czechs got revenge in the second Euro Baseball 2023 exhibition game in Brno.
CZECH REPUBLIC-ITALY BOX SCORE
Team Italy makes its European Baseball Championship debut against Hungary in Trebic on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 5 am (ET). Watch the livestream at www.BaseballEurope.tv
EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PREPARATORY GAME SCHEDULE/RESULTS
EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of the home run swing of slugger Robel Garcia by Corrado Benedetti DUCK FOTO PRESS)
