Team Italy Juniors cruise past Lithuania 13-2 in U18 European Championship opener

It was a pleasant homecoming in Grosetto for Team Italy Juniors manager John Cortese, who returned to where he once played baseball professionally for the U18 European Championship to lead his young and promising Azzurri squad to an easy 13-2 victory over Lithuania on July 9, 2018. Italian pitchers Oscar Tucci, Leonardo Menoni, Nicolo Ioli, Gabriel Real Sanchez, and Daniele Di Monti combined to throw six complete innings of no-hit ball with 10 strikeouts. It wasn't until the seventh inning before Lithuania showed signs of life off reliever Nicola Marziali, who surrendered three hits and one earned run but held his head high with two strikeouts of his own.

Host Team Italy wasted no time in getting on the board early in the bottom of the first inning when an RBI single by Riccardo Bertossi brought home Tommaso Giarola for a 1-0 lead. The Azzurri advantage increased in the bottom of the third inning when a four-run rally was set in motion by Gabriele Angioi's two-run RBI double, which allowed Lorenzo Morresi and Tommaso Giarola to cross the plate. Gabriele Angioli later scored on an RBI double by Riccardo Bertossi, who also scored on a wild pitch.

The relentless Azzurri attack continued in the bottom of the fourth inning to add another five runs. Inning highlights included singles from Andrea Pasotto, Carlos Urqiola, Tommaso Giarola, Daniele Monti, a triple from Norberto Viloria and a double by Tommaso Battioni. Team Italy notched three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the game out of reach. The Italians return on Wednesday, July 11 to face Germany at 2 pm (EDT). Two additional games on Thursday, July 12 against Spain at 2 pm (EDT) and on Friday, July 13 against Ireland at 12 noon (EDT) complete the single round-robin Pool B action. The Juniors U18 Euro Championship playoffs are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 14-15, 2018. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti