First Round ends at U-18 Baseball Euros with Italy winning Group A

Czechia – France 8-10 (Box score)

In a back-and-forth battle, France prevailed 10-8 over Czechia on Friday morning to start day five at the U-18 Baseball European Championship in Regensburg. Czechia took a quick 2-0 lead in the first, but France scored eight runs between the second and fourth to turn the score around for an 8-2 advantage. But Czechia fought back and reduced the deficit to 6-8 and later 8-10. But in the end it was for nothing. Timothy Fleming hit a home run for France. Francis Lassaline had two hits and three RBI. Jaroslav Moravec went 4-for-4 with three runs scored. Jan Kozel had three RBI.

Israel – Austria 6-7 (Box score)

Austria celebrated a stunning 7-6 come from behind win over Israel in the second morning game on Friday to clinch a spot in the next U-18 Baseball European Championship. They erased an early 1-6 deficit with a five-run rally in the fifth. In the sixth they took the lead on a solo home run by Jan Raunigger. Clemens Raimann and Sebastian Holzer had two RBI apiece. Moritz Astner and Paul Kerle struck out six out off the bullpen, combining for 3 1/3 innings of no-hit ball. Lyrr Friesem had two hits and two runs for Israel.

Great Britain – Belgium 2-6 (Box score)

Belgium improved to 2-2 in the tournament, but still has to settle for the relegation round after a 6-2 win over Great Britain, which already had secured second place in Group B. While Great Britain scored twice in the first, they wouldn’t score again afterwards. A run in the third and five in the fourth turned the game around. Guillaume Henrotte had two hits and three RBI for the red devils. Leonardo Di Giorgi and William John Kraemer scored the two runs for GB.

Sweden – Netherlands 1-19 (Box score)

Sweden remains winless after five games in the first round after a 1-19 clubbing against the Netherlands. The Dutch team scored in each of the five innings, highlighted by a nine-run fourth. Guus Toemen hit a home run. Jorrit Patist and Amarensio Franka had four RBI each for the Dutch team, which already had clinched first place in Group B. Karl Eidem had a triple and scored the lone run for Sweden.

Italy – Germany 9-3 (Box score)

In a meeting of two undefeated teams after four days, Italy scored four runs in the first en route to a 9-3 win over Germany to clinch first place in Group A ahead of the hosts. Three runs in the fourth and two in the sixth blew the score open. Germany avoided the shutout with three runs in the seventh. Mattia Bernardis hit a home run and drove in two for Italy. Diego Gergolet struck out six in 4 1/3 strong innings, allowing just two walks. Kenny Fermin Giere, Luca Sieger and Matteo Gründig scored the runs for Germany.

Croatia – Spain 0-13 (Box score)

Spain beat Croatia 13-0 in little over four innings to close out the first round at the U-18 Baseball European Championship. The game was called in the top of the fifth inning due to rain. Spain scored seven runs in the third and five in the fourth to blow the score open. Anderson Pena went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Five players from Spain scored twice. Marti Suarez picked up the win with seven strikeouts in three innings.

Standings U-18 Baseball European Championship 2024

• Opening Round

• Group A
• Group B

#	Team		W	L	T	PCT	GB
1		ITA Italy	5	0	0	1.000	0
2		GER Germany	4	1	0	.800	1
3		ESP Spain	3	2	0	.600	2
4		AUT Austria	2	3	0	.400	3
5		ISR Israel	1	4	0	.200	4
6		CRO Croatia	0	5	0	.000	5

#	Team		W	L	T	PCT	GB
1		NED Netherlands	5	0	0	1.000	0
2		GBR Great Britain	3	2	0	.600	2
3		FRA France	3	2	0	.600	2
4		CZE Czechia	2	3	0	.400	3
5		BEL Belgium	2	3	0	.400	3
6		SWE Sweden	0	5	0	.000	5

Outlook

The semi-finals at 18:00 between the Netherlands and Germany and at 19:30 between Italy and Great Britain certainly will be the main focus on Saturday at the U-18 Baseball European Championship in Regensburg, Germany. But also in the morning the games at 10:00 between Israel and at 11:30 between Belgium and Croatia are meaningful, as the winners will avoid relegation. Meanwhile at 14:00 Spain takes on Czechia and France will play against Austria at 15:30. All games will be streamed live at www.baseballeurope.tv. Live play by play is available for all games through www.wbsceurope.org.

Photo by Rene Thalemann