Team Italy Juniors lose 12-2 to the Netherlands in U18 Euro Championship
Although a 12-2 loss to the Netherlands was not the desired result for Team Italy Juniors manager John Cortese, the game was a lot closer than the final score indicates in the U18 European Baseball Championship in Grosseto on July 14, 2018. In fact, the promising Azzurri squad was very much in the contest through the fifth inning against t
heir Euro rival.
Team Italy starting pitcher Samuel Aldegheri had control problems early. Four walks and a passed ball resulted in the Netherlands first run in the bottom of the first inning. The Azzurri tied the game up 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning after back-to-back doubles from Nolberto Viloria and Daniel Monti. Starter Samuel Aldegheri and reliever Marco Pizzolini had a troubled bottom of the fourth inning as the Dutch scored three runs.
Trailing 4-1 in the top of the fifth inning, a sense of urgency echoed in the Team Italy dugout. A trio of singles by Daniele De Monte, Tommaso Giarola, and Carlos Urquiola loaded the bases for Gabriele Angioi, who knocked in a run with his fielder's choice. With the score 4-2, it was up to reliever Marco Pizzolini to silence the bats of the explosive Netherlands offense. The Dutch were too much to handle, and Italian skipper John Cortese had to summon Oscar Tucci from the bullpen in the bottom of the fifth inning. But the contest slowly got out of reach as Team Italy was down 7-2 heading into the sixth inning. The Netherlands chased Oscar Tucci out of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, and touched up reliever Gabriel Real Sanchez with a three-run homer to end the game via the mercy rule. On the bright side, outfielder Daniele De Monte was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate and scored one run. Also worth noting was the way cleanup hitter Riccardo Bertossi legged out an infield single in the second inning.
Team Italy (3-2) plays for third-place honors against the Czech Republic (3-2) on July 15 at 5 am (EDT). The Netherlands (5-0) and Spain (5-0) battle in the U18 European Baseball Championship title game on July 15 at 12 noon (EDT). Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen
by Roberto Angotti
