Team Italy beats Spain 10-3 for first Haarlem Baseball Week win
On day four of Haarlem Baseball Week, both Team Italy and Spain looked for their respective squad's first win of the week-long international tournament on a warm Monday afternoon, July 15th. The Spaniards narrowly lost to Japan (5-4 the night prior) and Chinese Taipei (2-1 two days earlier) so the Azzurri squad knew Spain could compete with the world’s best.
The Team Italy lineup card looked like this: Ricardo Paolini, 2B; Lorenzo Morresi, DH; Nathanael Batista, RF; Jesus Carrera, LF; Filippo Agretti, 3B; Ernesto Liberatore, C; Federico Celli, CF; Samuele Gamberini, 1B; Gabriele Angioi, SS and Gabriele Quattrini, P.
Spain starter Jorge Balboa hit Nathanael Batista in the top of the first inning, but the Italians were unable to start a two-out rally.
In the bottom of the first inning, Team Italy starting pitcher Gabriele Quattrini issued a walk to leadoff hitter Engle Beltre. Then Leopoldo Correa followed with a single just out of the reach of shortstop Gabriele Angioi and Edison Valerio hit an RBI single to give Spain its first run of the contest. Jesus Ustariz grounded into a 4-6-3 double play before Wander Encarnacion reached first base on catcher’s interference. With runners on the corners, Spain attempted a double steal, but Leopoldo Correa was tagged out at the plate by catcher Ernesto Liberatore to end the inning.
Team Italy answered with two runs In the top of the second inning. Filippo Agretti hit a single to center field, reached second base on a passed ball and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Ernesto Liberatore. A two-run homer over the left field fence from Samuele Gamberini put the Italians in front 2-1.
Spain tied the game up 2-2 in the bottom of the second inning. After singles by Lester Galvan and Juan Gonzalez, a wild pitch by Gabriele Quattrini allowed Lester Galvan to score and Juan Gonzalez to advance to second base. The Italian pitcher fought back with a successful pickoff move at second for the third out to limit the damage.
Team Italy scored twice in the top of the third inning to take a 4-2 lead. After a walk to Lorenzo Morresi and a double by Nathanael Batista, Jesus Carrera came through in the clutch with a two-run single up the middle.
Starter Gabriele Quattrini appeared to exude confidence as he threw scoreless third and fourth innings while registering three more strikeouts.
A Jesus Carrera two-out single in the top of the fifth inning did not amount to anything for Team Italy. Pitcher Gabriele Quattrini kept the Spain offense quiet in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Azzurri were unable to cash in on a scoring opportunity in the top of the sixth inning. After issuing a leadoff walk to Ernesto Liberatore and surrendering an infield single to Samuele Gamberini, Spain starting pitcher Jorge Balboa (5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 K) was replaced by lefty reliever Marc Civit. Then Ernesto Liberatore was thrown out by the catcher at second base and injured on the play. He was replaced defensively behind the plate by Giulio Monelo.
Gabriele Quattrini went back to work and tossed a scoreless sixth inning. Despite a leadoff single from Leopoldo Carrera, he dug deep and got an Edison Valero strikeout before an inning-ending double play.
The Italian offense added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning. After a single by Ricardo Paolini, Lorenzo Morresi reached first base on a fielder’s choice. Then Nathanael Batista was hit by a pitch and Jesus Carrera was issued a walk to load the bases for Filippo Agretti. The dependable Team Italy third baseman connected with a three-run double down the right field line but was thrown out trying to extend it into a triple. Unfortunately, It may have cost the Azzurri one run because Giulio Monello followed with what would have been an RBI single.
With a comfortable 7-2 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning and two out, the home plate umpire was not calling what appeared to be third strikes for pitcher Gabriele Quattrini. Instead, free passes to first base were offered to Lesther Galvan and Roibert Docena. Then an infield single by Juan Gonzales, who should have been called out for runner interference at first base, yielded Spain one undeserved run.
As a result of these unfortunate circumstances, the day was done for Gabriele Quattrini (6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) and reliever Luca Di Raffaele was summoned from the bullpen. The crafty lefty got a quick Engel Beltre foul out assisted by third baseman Filippo Agretti to end the inning.
Samuele Gamberini crushed his second home run of the game over the left field fence in the top of the eighth inning off reliever Fernando Baez to push Team Italy in front 8-3. Nathaniel Batista got in on the action after a Lorenzo Morresi single and blasted a two run homer of his own to left field.
With a commanding 10-3 advantage approaching the bottom of the eighth inning, Team Italy reliever Luca Di Raffaele got some help from his defense to keep Spain off the board. After Leopoldo Correa singled, third baseman Filippo Agretti caught a line drive hit by Edison Valero and caught the runner off first base with a red-hot throw for a double play.
Closer Alex Bassani finished the Spaniards off with a scoreless bottom of the ninth inning with one strikeout to secure the 10-3 victory.
INTERVIEW WITH SAMUELE GAMBERINI
INTERVIEW WITH GABRIELE QUATTRINI
Team Italy returns for a battle against Japan on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 3:30 pm.
HAARLEM BASEBALL WEEK 2024 SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
OFFICIAL HAARLEM BASEBALL WEEK 2024 WEBSITE
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy slugger Samuele Gamberini hitting a two-run home run against Spain on July 15, 2024 by RL-Mate)
