Team Italy loses 4-3 to Chinese Taipei in extra-innings during Haarlem Baseball Week
Team Italy once again fell victim to the tie-breaker rule in a 4-3 loss to Chinese Taipei during Haarlem Baseball Week at Pim Mulier Stadium in the Netherlands on July 17, 2018. 
It was reminiscent of the tourney opener against Japan when two baserunners were placed on first base and second base to start the tenth inning, and then the Azzurri squad ended up losing a hotly-contested game by one run.
Team Italy manager Gilberto “Gibo” Gerali could not be happier with the way his players competed on the field from the first pitch. A leadoff walk to Sebastiano Poma followed by walks to Chris Colabello, and Alex Sambucci loaded the bases for the Azzurri. When the Chinese Taipei pitcher tried to pick off Chris Colabello at second base, Sebastiano Poma broke for home. In an attempt to beat the throw from the second baseman and avoid the tag by the catcher at the plate, Sebastiano Poma used an acrobatic jump over his opponent to safely score to give Team Italy a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Azzurri added another run in the top of the third inning. After Nico Garbella singled and Chris Colabello doubled, Alex Sambucci hit a sacrifice fly to left field deep enough for Nico Garbella to score.
Going into the bottom of the fourth inning, Team Italy starter Angelo Palumbo had a two-run cushion. He gave up one run before being replaced by reliever Claudio Scotti, who pitched two scoreless innings before handing the ball off to Gianfranco Rizzo in the bottom of the seventh inning. Chinese Taipei tied the game up 2-2 after relief pitcher Valerio Simone inherited two baserunners and surrendered an RBI single. Closer Filippo Crepaldi threw the last inning of regulation as well as the tenth inning. Team Italy scored one run in the top of the tenth inning, but Chinese Taipei scored twice in the bottom of the tenth inning to win the game in extra-innings.
With the loss to Chinese Taipei (2-1), Team Italy (1-3) concludes single round-robin action with a game against Germany (1-2) on July 19 at 1 pm (EDT). Haarlem Baseball Week playoffs run from July 20-22, 2018. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen
by Roberto Angotti
