Team Italy wins 2017 U12 Juveniles European Baseball Championship
Battling on rival Netherlands turf in Utrecht from July 10-15 for the 2017 U12 Juveniles European Baseball Championship title, Team Italy U12 Baseball manager Stefano Burato knew early on his team of young and spirited players were on the right path to success. In their opening game against Poland 
on July 10, 2017, Team Italy pitchers Michel Gonzato and Cristian Laghi limited Poland to just two hits in an impressive Azzurri 15-0 shutout. On the following day, Ukraine fell victim to Team Italy’s relentless pitching and offensive punch by a score of 18-0. Pitchers Giulio Ballaminut, Pietro Gori and Giacomo Taschin combined for a no-hitter against Ukraine, while outfielder Cristian Laghi slugged Team Italy’s first home run of the tournament. On July 13, 2017, Italian skipper Burato called on the pitching trio of Jacopo Felluga, Dennis Giangrande and Pietro Gori to one-hit Russia in Team Italy’s 15-0 shutout victory. Azzurri left fielder Nicola Spagnolo went a perfect 2-for-2 with a two-run homer, a three-run triple and a walk.
After having crushed their first three opponents by a total score of 48-0, Team Italy finally met their match facing a tough Czech Republic squad on July 14, 2017. Starting pitcher Giuseppe Alioto threw 5.1 strong innings and limited the Czechs to just two earned runs. Relievers Manuel Zazza Michel Gonzato held the Czech Republic at bay in Team Italy’s closely contested 7-6 win. The Czechs pitched around Italy cleanup hitter Nicola Spagnolo by issuing him three intentional walks so it was necessary for his teammates to step up their game. Azzurri offensive highlights included triples by leadoff hitter Antonio Casadio and second baseman Alessandro Laise as well as doubles from shortstop William Wong, pitcher Giuseppe Alioto and left fielder Nicola Spagnolo. A walk-off RBI single by pinch-hitter Emanuele Carima in the bottom of the seventh inning was the difference in Team Italy’s exciting 7-6 victory.
Italy played France in the decisive final game of the U12 Juveniles European Baseball Championship on July 15, 2017. Team Italy skipper Stefano Burato gave the ball to pitcher Jacopo Felluga, who threw 1.1 innings and surrendered France’s only run of the game, Reliever Michel Gonzato earned the win by throwing 4.2 scoreless innings. Azzurri 1-2-3 hitters—Antonio Casadio, Giacomo Taschin and William Wong—drove in a total of 8 runs to catapult Team Italy to a 12-1 defeat of France to become the 2017 U12 Juveniles European Baseball Champions. In other Euro action, the Czech Republic won the bronze medal after an 8-2 win over defending champion Germany. Forza Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
