Team Italy kicked off the European Baseball Championship semifinal game against Israel with a bang after back-to-back home runs by Dario Pizzano and Vito Frescia in the top of the first inning. Down 3-0, Israel answered with one run after Team Italy starting pitcher Claudio Scotti issued four of the seven walks he issued during his short outing in the bottom of the first inning.
Team Italy added another run in the top of the second inning when Federico Celli led off with a solo homer. Starter Claudio Scotti returned in the bottom of the second inning and could not find the strike zone. He walked three consecutive hitters before being replaced by reliever Nico Garbella, who walked the first batter he faced to give Israel the first of three runs scored that inning.
Israel chased losing pitcher Nico Garbella out of the game in the bottom of the third inning when scoring three more runs to take a 7-4 advantage. Matthias Zotti was called from the bullpen with two outs to stop the bleeding and struck out the first batter he faced to end the inning. He threw a scoreless fourth inning before surrendering one run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Angelo Palumbo relieved Matthias Zotti in the bottom of the sixth inning and gave up three runs. He regained his composure and threw two scoreless innings before Team Italy put up one run in the top of the ninth inning after Luis Gonzalez drove in Federico Celli to make it an 11-5 final score.
ISRAEL-ITALY BOX SCORE
Team Italy is obviously disappointed with end result but will make the best of the European Baseball Championship with a strong showing against Spain in the battle for the bronze medal in Torino on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 3 pm (local time). Watch the live stream at www.BaseballSoftball.tv Forza #Italia! #PerBill
by Roberto Angotti
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(Photo of Team Italy giving a hand of applause to Israel after losing to Israel in the European Baseball Championship semifinals by Ezr/NADOC)