Consolation Round 9th to 12th: Russia – Croatia
Croatia 002 060 5 13 15 3 Russia 000 000 0 0 4 3
Croatia has secured a spot in the 2018 European Championship after defeating Russia 13-0 on Friday afternoon in Hoofddorp. Russia needs to requalify at the European Championship B-Pool next year. Croatia took a 2-0 lead in the third and added six runs in the fifth and five in the seventh to run away with the victory. Antonio Horvatic meanwhile celebrated a second complete game shutout in the tournament.
Antonio Horvatic conceded only four hits in seven scoreless innings for the win. He struck out five and needed just 85 pitches to complete the seven innings. At the plate a RBI single by Kruno Gojkovic and a bases loaded walk by Ross Vukovich gave Croatia a 2-0 advantage in the second. Phil Smith, who had three RBI in the game, initiated a six-run rally with a solo home run in the fifth. Dario Colovic also homered in the frame. Five runs in the seventh ended the game due to ten-run rule.
Denis Leonov got charged with the loss. He allowed six hits, four runs (3 ER) and five base on balls in 4 2/3 innings.