27/06/2018 2 Minute Read

An early Team Italy rally is not enough to beat 3n2 International Stars during Prague Baseball Week

The Team Italy U18 Juniors with the addition of four U23 Azzurri players started day two of the five-day Prague Baseball Week competition feeling good about their chances for success against the 3n2 International Stars during Prague Baseball Week on June 27, 2018

The Team Italy U18 Juniors with the addition of four U23 Azzurri players started day two of the five-day Prague Baseball Week competition feeling good about their chances for success against the 3n2 International Stars during Prague Baseball Week on June 27, 2018. La selezione Italiana Under 18 e Under 23 al Prague Baseball Week Coming back from yesterday’s 7-1 loss to host Czech Republic, Team Italy manager John Cortese called on starting pitcher Angelo Palumbo Cordozo to set the tone for the game. The Italian American skipper made the right choice as Angelo Palumbo Cordozo was impressive during his scoreless three innings of work.

The Azzurri offense came to life in the bottom of the second inning when Tommaso Battioni singled and advanced to second base on a fielder’s choice by Daniel Di Monte. Then Sean Fasano reached first base on a walk. The Team Italy rally came to fruition when an RBI single by Samuele Catalano was followed by another RBI single by Carlos Urquiola to give the Italians an early 2-0 lead. But the momentum soon shifted in the top of the fourth inning when Team Italy reliever Nicolo Ioli surrendered a three-run home run to give the 3n2 International Stars a 3-2 advantage.

Azzurri relief pitcher Marco Pizzolini came in the fifth inning and registered five strikeouts during his magnificent three-inning appearance. Reliever Tomas Canuti was equally effective when he replaced Marco Pizzolini and threw a hitless eighth inning. Team Italy tied up the game 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning after Riccardo Bertossi bunted for a base hit and later scored on an RBI single by Daniele Di Monte. In the end, however, the 3n2 International Stars exploded for five runs off Team Italy reliever Gabriel Dall’Agnese in the top of the ninth inning and went on to win the game by a score of 8 to 3.

Team Italy plays its final Group A round-robin game against Australia's NSW Blue Sox on June 28 at 8 am (EDT). Playoffs between the top finishers in Group A and B begin June 29 and continue through June 30. Team Italy will use Prague Baseball Week as the final tune up in preparation of the U18 European Championship, which takes place in Grosseto from July 9-15, 2018. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti