In the U12 European Baseball Championship semifinal game against host Germany at Ahorn Ballpark in Paderborn on Friday, July 5, 2024, Team Italy starting pitcher Gianmaria Fontana (.2 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 1 K) could not control an explosive German offense and gave way to reliever Kevin Wong (3.2 IP 7 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 4 K). Germany scored seven runs in the first inning, two more in the fourth and another one in the fifth to cruise to a 10-0 mercy-rule shutout over the Italians.
Germany starter Felix Blesing registered nine strikeouts and limited Team Italy to just four hits by Kevin Wong, Mattia Mariani, Mattia Manzotti and Lorenzo Pilatti.
BOX SCORE
The Azzurrini returned on Saturday, July 6, 2024 to play the Czech Republic in the battle for the bronze medal. Czech winning pitcher Matthias Lichem (4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K) and reliever Adriana Salabova ( 1 IP, 2 K) combined to throw an 11-0 mercy-rule shutout. The Team Italy offense managed to salvage singles from Mattia Mariani and Michele Manganelli.
To combat the strong Czech Republic squad, Italian U12 skipper Stefano Burato used five pitchers: Filippo Prisacarcu (3 IP, 6 H, 5 R, BB, 2 K), Daniele Macor (.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R), Werner Flores (.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R), Lorenzo Pilatti (.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R) and Sabino Vitrani (.1 IP, K).
BOX SCORE
Despite the fourth-place finish, Team Italy showed promise on offense in the U12 European Baseball Championship. Gianmaria Fontana (6-for-12, double, HR, 4 R, 8 RBI), Edoardo Biagini (4-for-11, 4 doubles, 3 R. 2 RBI), Kevin Wong (4-for-12, 3 doubles, 4 R, 3 RBI), Lorenzo Pilatti (4-for-8, double, 4 R, 2 RBI), Michele Manganelli (3-for-12, HR, 4 R, 2 RBI), and Edoardo Chiesi (3-for-10, 4 R, RBI) contributed to the Azzurrini squad.
U12 EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL STANDINGS
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of the Czech Republic scoring against Team Italy in the U12 European Baseball Championship Bronze Medal Game on July 6, 2024 by KS-FIBS)
