Czechia, Germany, Netherlands and Spain improve to 2-0 at U-18 European Baseball Championship

Czechia, Germany, Netherlands and Spain improve to 2-0 at U-18 European Baseball Championship
14/08/2022
Four teams remain undefeated after the first two days of the preliminary round at the U-18 European Baseball Championship in the Czech Republic. On Sunday host Czechia, Germany, defending champion Netherlands and Spain improved to 2-0 in the competition. The first round continues on Monday with six games.

Israel – Germany 7-12 (Box score)

In a high-scoring matchup Germany defeated Israel 12-7 on Sunday morning in Ostrava in a game, which was postponed from Saturday evening due to rain. Germany scored five runs in the fourth to turn an early 3-6 deficit into a 8-6 lead en route to the win. Tristan Russell had four hits, three runs and three RBI. Joshua Harrison homered and drove in four for Germany. Paul Schmitz struck out eight batters in just 2 2/3 innings to earn the win. Tomer Naor went deep for Israel.

Spain – Lithuania 7-5 (Box score)

In a close game Spain prevailed 7-5 over Lithuania to improve to 2-0 in the tournament. A four-run fifth inning decided the outcome in Hluboka on Sunday morning. Lithuania had leads of 2-0 and 4-3, but couldn’t answer in the end. Jesus Montano and Anderson Pena collected two RBI apiece. Eligijus Miciuta drove in two for Lithuania.

Belgium – Israel 1-6 (Box score)

Israel rebounded from their loss to Germany with a 6-1 win over Belgium to reach the win column in the U-18 European Baseball Championship in the early afternoon game in Ostrava. Israel scored five quick runs in the first two innings for an early 5-1 advantage. Aviv Bobrov and Akiva Meister combined to keep the Red Hawks to two hits, a run and two walks in seven strong innings from the mound. Viktor Vandervelden scored the lone run for Belgium.

Netherlands – France 8-4 (Box score)

In a meeting of two day-one winners the Netherlands upped France 8-4 in the afternoon game in Hluboka on Sunday. The Dutch team continued to score at will in the first three innings, putting on five quick runs for a 5-0 lead. France then was able to reduce the deficit a little bit but was not able to fulfill the comeback successfully. Tygo Rojer and Miquel Willem scored twice for the Netherlands. Pierre Doat had two RBI for France.

Germany – Ireland 3-1 (Box score)

Germany added another win in the second game on Sunday, defeating Ireland 3-1 in the late afternoon game in Ostrava. Darrion Richards used his speed to score the first and third run for Germany in the game. In between Luca Hörger had driven in run number two. Ireland was able to cut the deficit to 1-2 in the process through a run by Cillian Murphy and also had the chance to tie the game in the seventh, but eventually had to settle for their second loss in the tournament. Joshua Harrison, who had excelled at the plate in game one, pitched four scoreless one-hit innings for the win.

Italy – Czechia 3-9 (Box score)

Host Czechia won a big game in Group B in Ostrava on Sunday evening, winning 9-3 against Italy after both teams had booked a victory on Saturday. Three runs in the first, two in the third and four in the sixth sealed the win. Italy’s offense scored for the first time in the fourth and then put on two more in the sixth, but it was not enough to turn the page. The Czech Republic used three home runs by Viktor Hluchy, Nicolas O’Rourke and Matous Bubenik to beat Italy. Manuel Zazza had two runs for the Squadra Azzurri.

Great Britain – Austria 7-5 (Box score)

Great Britain reached the win column in the evening game on Sunday in Hluboka with a 7-5 nail-biter over Austria. It was a back and forth battle, which saw the British Juniors turning deficits of 0-2, 2-4 and 4-5 around to win thanks to three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Austria then threatened to come back in the top of the seventh when they loaded the bases with one out. But a strikeout and a groundout ended the rally and the game. Tucker Stockman homered and drove in two for GB. Dan Kawanishi had a home run for Austria along with a 3-for-3 game at the plate.

All games will be live streamed and can be watched on the WBSC Europe YouTube Channel.

Play-by-play, results and standings can be followed on WBSC Europe website.

Latest news and photos from the championship can be found on WBSC Europe social media.

Photo by Pavel Chorobik