26/06/2018 1 Minute Read

Team Italy showcases pitching talent in Prague Baseball Week opening loss to Czech Republic

Team Italy U18 manager John Cortese led his Juniors squad along with four U23 players to the field on day one of the five-day Prague Baseball Week competition from June 26-30, 2018

Team Italy U18 manager John Cortese led his Juniors squad along with four U23 players to the field on day one of the five-day Prague Baseball Week competition from June 26-30, 2018. Facing the always tough Czech Republic, Team Italy starting pitcher Matthias Zotti threw three scoreless innings before surrendering three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. 20180626 Prague Baseball Week Dugout Italia Samuel Aldegheri was summoned from the bullpen to start the fifth inning in relief and struck out two of the three batters he faced. Although he returned to pitch the sixth inning and gave up one run, reliever Samuel Aldegheri looked good striking out the last two hitters to end the inning and keep the game within reach. Down 4-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Federico Virgadaula replaced Samuel Aldegheri on the mound. He struck out the first hitter he faced, but later fell victim to a two-run home run to give Czech Republic a comfortable 6-0 lead. After back-to-back singles by the Czechs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Federico Virgadaula was relieved by closer Tommaso Battioni, who limited the damage to just one run with a fly-out and a fielder’s choice.

20180626 Prague Baseball Week Italia The Team Italy offense was kept quiet until the ninth inning when Riccardo Bertossi walked and later scored on an RBI double by Daniele Di Monte. The only other hits generated from Team Italy batters came from Carlos Urquiola, Andrea Pasotto, Giulio Da Re, and Alexander Viloria Serda. With the 7-1 loss to host Czech Republic in the Prague Baseball Week opener, Team Italy battles against the 3n2 International Stars, a squad made up of players from North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, on June 27, 2018 at 8 am (EDT). Team Italy plays its final Group A round-robin game against the NSW Blue Sox on June 28 at 8 am (EDT). Playoffs between the top finishers in Group A and B begin June 29 and continue through June 30. Team Italy will use Prague Baseball Week as the final tune up in preparation of the U18 European Championship, which takes place in Grosseto from July 9-15, 2018. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti