Team Italy Juniors battle the Netherlands in U18 European Championship semifinal

Led by manager John Cortese, the Team Italy Juniors squad (3-1) will be put to the test in a must-win semifinal game today at 9 am (EDT) against the Netherlands (4-0) in order to stay alive and compete for the U18 European Championship title in Grosetto on July 15, 2018 at 12 noon (EST). Having lost 8-4 to Spain (4-0) two nights ago and bounced back yesterday with a 5-4 win over Ireland (2-2), the Azzurri earned the right to continue in their quest to capture the U18 Euro crown on their home turf in Italy. 

It looked like Team Italy was on the road to victory with a 4-3 lead against Spain heading into the seventh inning. The Azzurri offense struck early in the top of the first inning when Carlos Urquiola singled and later scored on an RBI double by Riccardo Bertossi. The Italians picked up another run in the third inning when shortstop Gabriele Angioi walked and eventually crossed the plate on a fielder’s choice by designated hitter Nolberto Viloria. Hot-hitting Carlos Urquiola kicked off a Team Italy rally in the top of the fifth inning with a ground-rule double to deep center field. Gabriele Angioi followed with a single to put baserunners on the corners for cleanup hitter Riccardo Bertossi, whose productive infield groundout allowed Carlos Urquiola to score. An RBI single from Daniel Monti provided Italy’s fourth and final run of the game.

In his four complete innings of work,Team Italy starting pitcher Gabriel Dall’Agnese limited Spain to three runs on three hits. Although striking out five batters in 2.1 innings of relief, Oscar Tucci got touched up by the Spaniards for four runs and took the loss. Reliever Gabriel Real Sanchez closed out the game with an additional strikeout to tally up a total of 10 Ks for the Azzurri pitching staff.

Team Italy came back with a vengeance yesterday with a 10-9 win over Ireland. The Azzurri wasted no time in getting on the board early with three runs in the top of the first inning. After a leadoff single from Tommaso Giarola and a double by Carlos Urquiola, three-hole hitter Gabriele Angioi knocked in a run with his RBI single to left field. Rather than facing the wrath of Riccardo Bertossi, Ireland chose to pitch around the feared cleanup hitter and give him a free pass to first base to load the bases. Productive RBI groundouts from Nolberto Viloria and Daniel Monti resulted in two more runs for the Italians. The Team Italy Juniors squad rallied for another three runs during their next at-bat in the top of the second inning. With one out, catcher Giulio Da Re singled and then quickly stole second base. After Tommaso Giarola walked, sparkplug Carlos Urquiola delivered an RBI single up the middle to give Team Italy a 4-0 lead. He then stole second and advanced to third base on a wild pitch, which also allowed Gabriele Angioi to score. Ireland’s worst nightmare came true when slugger Riccardo Bertossi came to bat and delivered an RBI single to give Team Italy a comfortable 6-0 advantage.

Azzurri starting pitcher Leonardo Menoni gave up a run in the second and third innings but still held his head high. Team Italy scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth inning when Tommaso Giarola walked and later crossed the plate on infield throwing error. The Juniors came back for more in the top of the fifth inning when Carlos Urquiola doubled and scored on an RBI triple from Daniel Monti. Pitcher Nicolo Iolo relieved starter Leonardo Menoni in bottom of the fifth inning, and he surrendered five runs during his 2.1 inning pitching performance. Team Italy Juniors manager John Cortese called on designated hitter Nolberto Viloria from the dugout to pitch late in the game to stop the bleeding and pick up the win for the Azzurri by a score of 10-9. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti