Winners Round Robin: Italy – Czech Republic
Czech Republic 000 100 010 2 6 2 Italy 100 200 00X 3 9 1
Italy is remaining alive in the race for the final at the European Championship in Hoofddorp. While they also need a Spanish loss on day three of the Winners Round Robin on Saturday they at least did their part. In the morning game they edged out the Czech Republic 3-2. With the loss the Czech team finishes in fifth place in the final standings of the tournament.
The Squadra Azzurri had a head start into the game, taking a 1-0 lead in the first thanks to a RBI double by Giuseppe Mazzanti. Jakub Malik tied the contest in the fourth with a solo home run. However Italy got back in front in the bottom half of the same frame. A two-run single by Mattia Reginato plated Alessandro Vaglio and Alex Sambucci for a 3-1 advantage.
The score remained the same until the eighth. The first three Czech batters reached base after a walk, a double and an error on a sac bunt. Martin Cervenka plated Matej Hejma with a RBI fielder’s choice, but Jakub Vojak and Daniel Vavrusa didn’t come through, as Italy stayed ahead. The Czech team also had a runner on second base with one out in the ninth, but failed to tie the game.