Team Italy dominated Austria with a 15-0 mercy-rule shutout in their U12 European Baseball Championship debut at Ahorn Ballpark on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Pitchers Daniele Macor and Sabino Vitrani threw two innings each and held Austria to just three hits. Gianmaria Fontana led the Azzurrini offense with three hits (including one double), two runs scored and three RBI. Kevin Wong picked up two hits (including one double), walked, scored three times and registered three RBI. Tommaso Spataro, Lorenzo Pilatti and Edoardo Biagini also doubled. Slugger Michele Manganelli hit a two-run home run and walked.
BOX SCORE
Starting pitcher Gualtiero Magnani (2 IP, H, 5 K) and reliever Mattia Manzotti (IP. 3 K) secured the 21-0 mercy-rule victory over Lithuania on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Offensive highlights included a grand slam by Gianmaria Fontana and doubles from Leonardo Facchini, Daniele Macor and Edoardo Biagini. Edoardo Chiesi went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and one RBI.
BOX SCORE
Team Italy battles undefeated Kingdom of the Netherlands to determine the Group B top seed on Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 1 pm (local time). Undefeated Group A leaders Czech Republic and host Germany clash later at 6 pm (local time). The semifinals will take place on Friday, July 5th, and the Euro medal games will be played on Saturday, July 6th.
SCHEDULE, RESULTS AND PLAY-BY-PLAY
LIVE STREAMING
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of the grand slam swing by Team Italy U12 slugger Gianmaria Fontana against Lithuania on July 3, 2024 by KS-FIBS)
