Semi-Final: Italy – Netherlands 9-14 (Box score)
The Netherlands have reached the final of the U-12 Baseball European Championship for the first time since 2019. The Netherlands beat Italy in a close game 14-9 in the first semi-final on Saturday in Valenciennes. For Italy it was their first loss in four games in the tournament, having won Group A of the preliminary round undefeated. The Netherlands scored in each of the six innings played to prevail in a slugfest. Italy used a six-run rally in the fifth to get within four runs, but wasn’t able to complete the comeback. Dyshairo Zandvliet crossed the plate for four runs for the Dutch team. Marcelo Montenegro and Javier Olivier Chance had three runs apiece. Leonardo Perracino, Alessandro De Pelca and Marco Giusti scored two runs each for Italy.
Semi-Final: Czechia – Germany 6-11 (Box score)
In a rematch of last year’s Gold Medal Game, Germany beat Czechia 11-6 to advance to the finals of the 2023 edition of the U-12 Baseball European Championship. It was a dramatic semifinal between two European baseball rivals in this age category. Germany, which was 2-1 in group play, while Czechia had was 3-0, scored two runs each in the first two innings for a quick 4-0 lead. They still led 5-1 midway through the third inning, when Czechia rallied for four runs to tie the game. Czechia then took a 6-5 lead in the fourth. They kept that advantage against the reigning champion until the sixth and last inning. Germany led off the inning with a solo home run by Henk Lenhart to tie the game. They loaded the bases and with one out Felix Blesing connected for a grand slam home run to give Germany a 10-6 lead. Another German run would score and Czechia didn’t recover from the two big flies in the bottom half of the frame. Blesing not only had the game-winner at the plate, but also pitched the last 3 2/3 innings on the mound to close out the game.
Relegation Round: Austria – Great Britain 11-8 (Box score)
In a close game Austria defeated Great Britain 11-8 on Saturday morning to open the relegation round at the U-12 Baseball European Championship. Austria took a quick 4-1 lead after the first and extended the game to 6-2 after three innings. Great Britain turned the score around with three runs in the fourth and two in the fifth to get up front 7-6. But Austria answered with five runs in the bottom half of the fifth to regain the lead and seal the win. Cedric Moczkowski went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI, while also striking out five in three strong innings on the mound for Austria. Hugo Esperon collected three hits and three RBI for the British U12 National Team.
Relegation Round: France – Lithuania 19-0 (Box score)
France scored twelve runs in the first inning of a 19-0 win over Lithuania in the second game on Saturday. One run in the second and six in the third led to an early ending after four innings due to the 15-run rule. Gael Shomura connected for two home runs and led France with seven RBI. Guillaume Bidaut also went deep and had three runs and four RBI in the box score. Pitchers Hugo Martin Fay, Enjy Piquet, Giulian Jouham and Ferdinand Delori combined to keep Lithuania hitless.
Outlook
Before the Gold Medal Game starts at 16:30 at Vipers ballpark in Valenciennes between the Netherlands and Germany, the Bronze Medal Game is set for 15:00 between Italy and Czechia. For the Netherlands it would be their first U-12 European title. They have won one silver and one bronze medal in tournament history so far. Germany has won the gold medal twice, in 2016 and 2022. Earlier in the day on Sunday Great Britain faces Lithuania at 09:00 and France is taking on Austria at 11:30 in the relegation round.
All games from the U-12 Baseball European Championship can be followed by live play by play through the WBSC Europe website. Also all games are being live streamed through the WBSC Europe YouTube Channel.
Photo by Glenn Gervot
