CORENDON KINHEIM is the new and old European Cup champion. They defeated the Italian host MONTEPASCHI GROSSETO in a thrilling final 3-2 in extra-innings. They needed a two-run walk off double by Tjerk Smeets to decide the outcome. T&A SAN MARINO finishes in third, after beating the ROUEN HUSKIES 3-1.
Final:
Corendon Kinheim –Montepaschi Grosseto 3-2 (10)
GRO 000 000 100 1 2 7 0 KIN 000 000 100 2 3 8 0
The 2007 Dutch champion KINEHEIM defended their title at the European Cup in Grosseto, Italy. They defeated the Italian counterpart MONTEPASCHI 3-2 thanks to Tjerk Smeets’ two-run double in the bottom of the tenth. It was a thrilling game in front of 1800 people in the stands, decided with the last hit of the evening.
GROSSETO had taken a 2-1 lead in the top of the tenth on a RBI single by Andrea Sgnaolin. They could have scored more, but Jorge Nunez grounded into a 1-2-3 double play to end the threat. In the bottom of the period, Rene Cremer and Dirk Van’t Klooster reached base with singles and one out. Smeets stepped to the plate and hit the ninth pitch on a 1-2 count into left field, plating both Cremer and Van’t Klooster.
Both teams had scored in the seventh. Davide Dallospedale led off with a triple and scored the first run of the final on a sac fly by Jairo Ramos. However CORENDON answered right away. They loaded the bases after a Roel Koolen triple and he reached home on a sac fly by Cremer.
Besides these scoring plays, the pitchers dominated the matchup. Patrick Beljaards started for KINHEIM. He allowed four hits and one run in 8 2/3 innings. He struck out four. Lincoln Mikkelsen pitched brilliant for the first nine innings, but failed to get the final two outs in the tenth. The veteran allowed eight hits, three runs and two walks in 9 1/3 innings. He threw a whopping 135 pitches in the loss. Michiel Van Kampen had another rough outing, but received the win anyway after closing out the game for the Dutch champion.
Bronze Medal Game:
T&A San Marino – Rouen Huskies 3-1
ROU 000 100 000 1 6 2 SMA 101 100 00X 3 8 2
SAN MARINO beat ROUEN 3-1 and finishes in third place of the European Cup. They took a fast 2-0 lead till the end of the third and answered a David Gauthier homerun in the top of the fourth with an insurance run in the bottom of the same period. It was the last time either team would score. Max DiBiase and David Sheldon had RBIs for T&A.
Mattew Marrone started for SAN MARINO and received the win. Keino Perez took the loss, starting for the HUSKIES.
Playdowns:
Marlins Puerto Cruz – Royal Greys 7-3
MRG 100 000 110 3 6 8 MPC 100 003 30X 7 8 0
The MARLINS took advantage of eight errors by the ROYAL GREYS defense and won their final game of the European Cup 7-3. PUERTO CRUZ finishes the tournament in fifth place.
They decided the outcome by scoring six runs in the sixth and seventh period. Leslie Nacar pitched for the second time this week and was the key to the victory. He went the distance, striking out 13 batters and allowed just three runs on six hits and three walks. He also contributed on the offensive end with two RBI. Daniel Sanchez and Nestor Perez each scored twice.
Gert Rosiers hit a homerun for the GREYS. Dennis Van Hoof gave up five hits, four runs (3 ER) and two bb in six innings to take the loss.
Mainz Athletics – Tornado Balashikha 5-18
BAL 700 515 0 18 19 0 MAI 100 013 0 5 11 7
TORNADO scored seven runs on their way to a lopsided 18-5 victory against the ATHLETICS. It was their first win at the European Cup in Grosseto. They also received help from seven errors by the MAINZ defense.
Alexander Vasiliev hit for the cycle, going four-for-five with four runs scored and three RBI. He started with a homerun and a strikeout in the first, singled in the fourth, doubled in the fifth and tripled in the sixth. Pavel Fursin was three-for-five with three runs and three RBI.
A few of the A’s batters also had a nice day at the plate. Max Boldt had four hits in four at bats. Raef Hobbs-Brown and Martin Kipphan each drove in two.
Vladimir Petrov received the win for 5 2/3 innings of work. He gave up ten hits, five runs (4 ER) and three walks, while striking out six. After his 157 pitch performance from the opener, Nils Hartkopf got the start for MAINZ on Saturday. He didn’t last long on the mound. He was responsible for seven hits, seven runs (5 ER) and a bb in only the first period. He was replaced at the beginning of the second.
Final Standings:
- Corendon Kinheim (NED)
- Montepaschi Grosseto (ITA)
- T&A San Marino (SMA)
- Rouen Huskies (FRA)
- Marlins Puerto Cruz (ESP)
- Royal Greys (BEL)
- Tornado Balashikha (RUS)
- Mainz Athletics (GER)
