Team Italy beats South Africa 14-4 via mercy rule in U15 Baseball World Cup Placement Round
23/08/2024 2 Minute Read

Team Italy beats South Africa 14-4 via mercy rule in U15 Baseball World Cup Placement Round

The trio of Team Italy starter Christian Tontini (3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) and relievers Giacomo Tesio (IP, R, 3 BB) and Manfredi Gambera (IP, H, K ) threw a combined three-hitter against South Africa at Estadio Once de Noviembre in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia on Friday, August 23, 2024. The Italians return for a clash against Venezuela for eighth place in the U15 Baseball World Cup on Saturday, August 24th at 10:30 am (local time)..

Against South Africa in the U15 Baseball World Cup Placement Round on Friday, August 23, 2024, Team Italy U15 manager Giuseppe Mazzanti put together the following lineup: Mattia Angelucci (2B), Pablo Suarez (3B), Patrick Silva (1B), Alessio Casasanta (RF), Leonardo Prizzon (LF), Nicolo Mariani (SS), Mattia Pasotto (C), Christian Tontini (DH) and Matteo Chinello (CF).

Team Italy wasted no time in getting on the board early with the help of three costly runs spurred by South Africa blunders in the bottom of the first inning. After Mattia Angelucci got on base courtesy of an error by shortstop Connor Stander, Pablo Suarez singled, and Patrick Silva reached first on a fielder’s choice, Leonardo Prizzon hit an RBI single. Another error at shortstop resulted in Patrick Silva crossing the plate and Nicolli Mariani getting to first base. After Mattia Passoto was hit by a pitch from starter Sithembiso Chuma, Leonardo Prizzon scored on a passed ball to give the Italians a 3-0 lead.

South Africa answered with three runs in the top of the second inning to tie the contest 3-3. Team Italy put the game out of reach when scoring five runs in the bottom of the second inning and another five runs in the bottom of the third inning. The 10-run offensive eruption was fueled by Pablo Suarez (RBI triple, BB), Patrick Silva (RBI single, double), Nicolo Mariani (two-run double, BB), Mattia Pasotto (single, 2 RBI), Alessio Casasanta (single, SB, RBI), Christian Tontini (RBI single) and Matteo Chinello (single, SB).

South Africa scored one run in the top of the fourth inning. Team Italy matched the run in the bottom of the fifth run to win the game 14-4 after a walk-off RBI double by Matteo Chinello enforced the mercy rule.

SOUTH AFRICA-ITALY BOX SCORE

Team Italy returns to Cartagena de Indias on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 10:30 am (local time) to play Venezuela in the battle for eighth place at the U15 Baseball World Cup. 

SCHEDULE, RESULTS AND PLAY-BY-PLAY

GAMETIME LIVESTREAM

STANDINGS

STATS

TEAM ITALY ROSTER

PHOTOS

Forza #Italia!

by Roberto Angotti

(Photo of Team Italy's Alessio Casasanta at bat against the Kingdom of the Netherlands on August 22, 2024 courtesy of WBSC)