Cover photo by DFotografie
In the Gold Medal Game, Sparks Haarlem (NED) narrowly defeated Saronno (ITA) with a 5-4 victory. Saronno took the lead in the third inning, scoring three runs and adding another run in the fourth inning to make it 4-0.
Sparks Haarlem responded in the sixth inning with their first run of the game, narrowing the deficit to 4-1. The game turned in the seventh inning when Sparks Haarlem mounted a dramatic comeback, scoring four runs to secure a 5-4 victory and claim the gold medal.
Sparks Haarlem showcased their offensive strength with 11 hits throughout the game. Key performances came from Mikiko Eguchi, Elisa Cecchetti, and Riangela Flanegin, each going 2-for-4, while Julia Westhoek contributed with a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate.
Greta Cecchetti was the winning pitcher, delivering a solid performance in the circle as a relief for Morgan Leinstock, who started the game.
In the Bronze Medal Game between Roef! (NED) and Bonn Capitals (GER), Roef! jumped to an early lead by scoring two runs in the first inning and adding another two runs in the second inning to make it 4-0. They extended their lead in the third inning with one more run, bringing the score to 5-0.
The Bonn Capitals responded with a run in the third inning and another in the fourth, narrowing the gap to 5-2. However, Roef!'s early lead and consistent pitching held up, and no further runs were scored by either team, securing the bronze medal for Roef! with a final score of 5-2.
Several key batters contributed to their victory: Lisa Van Raemdonck led the offense going 3-for-3, Kailyn Campbell went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Miranda Pruitt also had a standout performance, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Marjolein Merkx started the game and pitched four innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out five batters. Ellie Dubois took over as the closer, delivering three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, and striking out three to secure the save.
The final standings of the Women’s Softball European Cup Winners Cup “A” 2024 saw Sparks Haarlem (NED) winning the gold medal, and Saronno (ITA) securing the silver medal after a closely contested final. Roef! (NED) took the bronze medal against Bonn Capitals (GER), who finished fourth. Tempo Praha (CZE) ended in fifth place, followed by Les Pharaons (FRA) in sixth, Sant Boi (ESP) in seventh, and Wiener Neustadt (AUT) rounding out the standings in eighth place.
Games of the Women’s Softball European Cup Winners Cup “A” can be watched live on softballeurope.tv. Boxscores are available through the WBSC Europe website.
