Team Italy U15 rematch against the Czechs in Youth Rotterdam Baseball Week semifinals after 10-9 extra-inning loss to Germany
Coming off an emotional 16-12 extra-inning win over the Kingdom of the Netherlands U16 squad earlier in the day, Team Italy suffered a 10-9 extra-inning loss to Germany at the Neptunus Sports Complex on Thursday night, July 11, 2024. The Italians return on Friday, July 12th at 3:30 pm in the semifinals against the Czech Republic.
Lady Luck was not on the side of the young and talented Italians against Germany in what was their second Youth Rotterdam Baseball Week game of the day on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Having survived an incredible come from behind 16-12 extra-inning win over the Kingdom of the Netherlands U16 team, just hours earlier, the Team Italy U15 squad was already overstimulated. Just have a look at this box score and decide:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
R
Team Italy U15
4
2
0
0
1
3
2
4
16
Netherlands U16
7
4
0
0
0
1
0
0
12
For the Team Italy nightcap against Germany, U15 manager Giuseppe Mazzanti wrote up his lineup card as follows: Elia Plusigh (2B), Dario Lomi (RF), Christian Tontini (1B), Alessio Casasanta (DH), Federico Magalotti (CF), Pablo Suarez (3B), Nicolò Mariani (SS), Michael Moronta (C) and Cristian Severino (LF). Starting pitcher Takuma Lupo was relieved by relievers Giovanni Pucci and Mattia Muscio.
An unlucky Team Italy lost 10-9 to Germany in the eighth inning after giving up the final run of the extra-inning contest despite having recorded more hits (11) than Germany (7). The Italian offense was fueled by Federico Magalotti (3-for-4, RBI) and Dario Lomi (2-for-3).
Team Italy returns on Friday, July 12th at 3:30 pm in the semifinals against the Czech Republic. When the teams met earlier during Youth Rotterdam Baseball Week on Tuesday, July 9th, the Czech Republic defeated Team Italy 11-7. The other semifinal game between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Germany takes place earlier at 2 pm.
(Photo of Team Italy's Federico Magalotti sprints home to score in the Youth Rotterdam Baseball Week game against Germany on July 11, 2024 by Catalin Daciu Ciubotaru)
