11/07/2018
2 Minute Read
Team Italy inches closer to U18 Euro Championship with 12-4 win over Germany
With a 13-2 win over Lithuania two nights ago in the U18 European Championship opener in Grosseto, Team Italy Juniors manager John Cortese sent out starter Samuel Aldegheri against Germany in game two of the international competition on July 11, 2018
With a 13-2 win over Lithuania two nights ago in the U18 European Championship opener in Grosseto, Team Italy Juniors manager John Cortese sent out starter Samuel Aldegheri against Germany in game two of the international competition on July 11, 2018. 
Despite a less than optimal beginning with the promising Italian starting pitcher walking and hitting a batter in the top of the first inning, Samuel Aldegheri regained his composure with two strikeouts and an infield foul out to escape any damage. After limiting Germany to just one hit during his three innings of work, Samuel Aldegheri was replaced in the top of the fourth inning by reliever Marco Pizzolini, who held Germany to just two more hits during his three inning relief appearance.
Despite a less than optimal beginning with the promising Italian starting pitcher walking and hitting a batter in the top of the first inning, Samuel Aldegheri regained his composure with two strikeouts and an infield foul out to escape any damage. After limiting Germany to just one hit during his three innings of work, Samuel Aldegheri was replaced in the top of the fourth inning by reliever Marco Pizzolini, who held Germany to just two more hits during his three inning relief appearance.The Team Italy offense struck first in the bottom of the first inning when leadoff hitter Tommaso Giarola singled and scored on an RBI triple by Gabriele Angioi for the Azzurri's first run of the game. Cleanup hitter Riccardo Bertossi singled up the middle to bring home Gabriele Angioli and give Team Italy a 2-0 lead. Despite walking two in the top of the second inning, Samuel Aldegheri registered three strikeouts to keep the Germans from scoring. A five-run Azzurri rally ensued in the bottom of second inning after a pair of singles from Tommaso Battioni and Andrea Pasotto. Tommaso Giarola and Carlos Urqiola followed with RBI singles. Riccardo Bertossi drove in two more runs with his single to left field and later scored on a wild pitch to widen the lead to 7-0.
Team Italy added two insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Carlos Urqiola walked and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt and wild pitch. Then Gabriele Angioi reached first base on a walk and advanced to second on a fielder's choice from Daniel Monti. A sacrifice fly to deep center field by Riccardo Bertossi allowed Carlos Urqiola to cross the plate. Designated hitter Nolberto Viloria followed with an infield RBI single to give Italy a comfortable 9-0 advantage.
The Azzurri nailed the coffin shut in the bottom of the fifth inning. Andrea Pasotto doubled, and Tommaso Giarola walked to set the table for Gabriele Angioi, who delivered a two-run RBI single down the left field line to make it an 11-0 game. Team Italy came back for one more run when Nolberto Viloria tripled down the right field line and scored on an RBI groundout from Tommaso Battioni in the bottom of the sixth inning. Nicolo Ioli relieved Marco Pizzolini in the top of the seventh inning and surrended three runs to Germany. Nicola Marziali was summoned from the bullpen in the top of the eight inning and was responsible for the fourth and final German run. Closer Leonardo Menoni looked impressive striking out the first two batters he faced in the top of the ninth inning to seal the deal in the 12-4 victory over Germany.
The Azzurri nailed the coffin shut in the bottom of the fifth inning. Andrea Pasotto doubled, and Tommaso Giarola walked to set the table for Gabriele Angioi, who delivered a two-run RBI single down the left field line to make it an 11-0 game. Team Italy came back for one more run when Nolberto Viloria tripled down the right field line and scored on an RBI groundout from Tommaso Battioni in the bottom of the sixth inning. Nicolo Ioli relieved Marco Pizzolini in the top of the seventh inning and surrended three runs to Germany. Nicola Marziali was summoned from the bullpen in the top of the eight inning and was responsible for the fourth and final German run. Closer Leonardo Menoni looked impressive striking out the first two batters he faced in the top of the ninth inning to seal the deal in the 12-4 victory over Germany.Team Italy (2-0) has two remaining single round-robin Pool B games on Thursday, July 12 against Spain (3-0) at 2 pm (EDT) and on Friday, July 13 against Ireland (1-1) at 12 noon (EDT). The Juniors U18 Euro Championship playoffs are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 14-15, 2018. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen
by Roberto Angotti
