Team Italy U15 National Team places fifth in 2017 Cadets European Baseball Championship

Team Italy U15 manager Roberto De Franceschi took his young team of promising players to Wiener Neustadt, Austria knowing the competition would be fierce in the 2017 Cadets European Baseball Championship. Beginning July 17, 2017, the Italians were put under pressure by a talented France squad in the 10-country round-robin. Pitchers Luca Capellano and Marco Artitzu surrendered four runs each in Team Italy’s 8-7 loss to the French. Italy played hard and nearly tied the game up twice late in the competition. In the top of the sixth inning, a close play at the plate resulted in Juan Carlos Infante being called out to end Italy’s come-from-behind scoring threat. Later in the top of the seventh inning, Federico Ricci was left stranded at third base at the end of the game after doubling down the left field line with one out. Despite the opening match upset by France, Team Italy’s “never say die” mental approach was apparent throughout the tournament.

Returning the following day to battle Spain, Team Italy rebounded nicely and took no prisoners with a convincing 11-1 victory. Starting pitcher Tomas Canuti threw a two-hitter and earned the win, while closer Andrea Samsa finished the Spaniards off with an easy 1-2-3 inning. Team Italy’s explosive offense was led by outfielder Daniele Di Monte, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs scored, two RBI and a walk. Third baseman Matteo Lombardi also chipped in with three hits—including an RBI single and a two-run triple.

        On July 19, 2017, Italy made history when Francesco Della Millia and Luca Capellano combined to pitch a no-hitter against an overmatched Lithuania. To add insult to injury, the relentless Team Italy offense scored 22 runs in four innings of play. Azzurri first baseman Daniele Di Monte was once again perfect at the plate by going 4-for-4 with three doubles, a two-run home run and seven RBI total. Left fielder Valerio Mazzanti also collected four hits—including two RBI singles and an RBI double. A three-run triple by Tommaso Adorni capped off a Team Italy ten-run rally in the second inning to the put the game out of reach from the powerless Lithuanians. Shortstop Gabriel Gorrin, second baseman Tomas Canuti, catcher Samuele Gamberini and pitcher Francesco Della Millia contributed greatly to the Italian offensive attack.

        On July 21, 2017, Italy faced Germany in a must-win scenario to determine which team would advance to the semi-finals on the following day. Having beat France earlier in the tournament, Germany was no laughing matter and a serious contender. Team Italy manager Roberto De Franceschi called on Andrea Samsa to start the game. With Germany scoring one run in the top half of the first inning, Italy came back with a vengeance. With back-to-back walks issued by Germany’s starter Simon Baeumer to leadoff hitter Juan Carlos Infante and Tomas Canuti, Matteo Lombardi tied the game with an RBI single. Daniele Di Monte followed with an RBI double to left field to score a second run. Federico Ricci’s groundout to second allowed Matteo Lombardi to score from third base and give Team Italy a 3-1 lead going into the second inning. The slim advantage was short-lived as Germany battled back fast and knocked starter Andrea Samsa out of the game early. The Germans scored four runs in the second inning and another run in the third inning to make it the score 6-3. Although Italy skipper Roberto De Franceschi went to his bullpen for relievers Marco Artitzu, Manuel Maglio, Valerio Mazzanti and Daniele DiMonte to stop Germany, the offensive blitz was too much for the Azzurri. With another run crossing the plate and the Germans taking a comfortable 7-3 lead in the fifth inning, time was running out for the Italians to rebound from the deficit. Second baseman Gabriel Gorrin doubled down the right field line and later scored on an RBI double by Tomas Canuti. Germany pitcher Simon Baeumer escaped further damage by stomping out the rally and limiting Italy to just one run. The Italians came back for a final run in the bottom of the seventh inning after a double by Juan Carlos Infante and an RBI single from Tomas Canuti. In the end, however, Germany prevailed in their 9-5 upset over Team Italy and advanced to the semi-finals. Germany later took the next step by beating Czech Republic 9-8, thereby qualifying to play the Netherlands for the 2017 Cadets European Championship title.

        On July 22, 2017 Team Italy got the opportunity to play its final game against Austria to determine which country would place fifth in the international tourney. Tomas Canuti pitched three innings and held Austria to one run. Team Italy came out firing and scored seven runs in the bottom of the first inning. Azzurri offensive highlights included two-run RBI singles by Tommaso Adorni and Francesco Pomponi as well as a two-run RBI double from Kevin Betti. Italy added three more runs in the bottom of the third inning when Austria committed a series of defensive errors. Relief pitcher Ettore Giulianelli was brought into the game by Team Italy manager Roberto De Franceschi to silence the Austrians with three strikeouts in the top of the fourth inning. The Italians came back for another run in the bottom of the fourth inning after Daniele Di Monte doubled and Tommaso Adorni drove him home with an RBI single. Later in the bottom of the fifth inning, Alessio Baldazzi and Kevin Betti contributed RBI singles to fuel an Azzurri three-run rally which resulted in the enactment of the mercy rule to end the game with a 14-4 victory. With the win over Austria, the Team Italy U15 National Team finished the tourney 3-2 overall and secured fifth place in the 2017 Cadets European Baseball Championship. It was a valiant effort by Team Italy U15 players and coaches Claudio Corradi, Leonardo Mazzanti and Alberto Furlani. Forza Italia!