Great Britain upsets Czechia on Day one of U-23 Baseball European Championship 2023

Four games were played on day 1 of the U-23 Baseball European Championship 2023.

Italy – France 7-0 (Box score)
Italy scored in three of the first four innings en route to a 7-0 shutout over France in the first game of the U-23 Baseball European Championship 2023 on Tuesday morning. Vincent Cimini opened the scoring with a big three-run home run in the first. In the third Italy added a run on a balk decision. In the fourth they extended their advantage to seven runs through a RBI fielder’s choice from Tommaso Battioni and a two-run single by Lorenzo Morresi. Mattia Sireus and two relievers kept France to three hits in seven innings, while walking none. Pierre Doat had two of the three hits for the French squad.

Germany – Belgium 5-1 (Box score)
Two-time silver medalist Germany opened the tournament with a 5-1 victory over Belgium in the afternoon game on Tuesday in Wiener Neustadt. In the debut of new manager Jendrick Speer Germany scored four runs in the first two innings on their way to the win. Lou Helmig had two RBI doubles in the process. Darrion Richards scored three runs out of the leadoff spot. Titus von Kapff pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing just three hits, an unearned run and a walk to pick up the win. Natheo Collazos-Munoz scored the lone run for Belgium in the sixth.

Great Britain – Czechia 8-3 (Box score)
In the lone game in Schwechat on Tuesday afternoon Great Britain stunned Czechia 8-3. The British team scored all eight runs between the third and sixth inning. Liam Houghton hit a home run and drove in two runs. Kennard Dawson collected three RBI. Ben Leid and Jacob Lambdin scored two runs apiece. Jan Pospisil went 3-for-4 with a run and a RBI for Czechia. Zac Sohosky struck out four in five scoreless three-hit innings to pick up the win.

Netherlands – Austria 8-1 (Box score)
Defending champion Netherlands beat host Austria 8-1 in the evening game on opening day of the U-23 Baseball European Championship 2023. The Dutch team took a quick 4-1 lead after three innings and never looked back. Leadoff hitter Marnix Ruben initiated the Netherlands offense by reaching base four times, scoring twice and drive in two runs. Ruendrick Piternella had three RBI. Jair van Borkulo had two runs. Alexander Schiller crossed the plate for Austria’s only run in the game. Dutch pitching allowed just two hits in the game.  

Outlook
Germany and France open day two of the competition at 10:00 at the Diving Ducks ballpark in Wiener Neustadt. In the afternoon at 14:30 Czechia takes on the Netherlands hoping for the upset in a tough Group A matchup. In the lone game at the Blue Bats ballpark in Schwechat at 16:00 Italy faces Belgium. In the evening at 19:30 Great Britain is squaring off against Austria.

All games can be followed live through live play by play at www.wbsceurope.org, while live streaming is offered through the WBSC Europe YouTube channel.

Photo by @izzygracephotography_