On Friday the 4th Italian Baseball Week started, this time as a warm-up tournament for the European Championship in Germany, which starts next Friday. The first game day saw two lopsided wins for Italy over Sweden and Spain against the Czech Republic. The tourney continues through Tuesday.
Italy – Sweden 22-2 (7)
SWE 000 020 0 2 3 1 ITA 512 464 X 22 16 1
Italy absolutely crushed Sweden 22-2 in seven innings at the ballpark in Lodi, as they scored in each of the first six frames. Giuseppe Mazzanti (1-3, 4 runs, 3 RBI), Juan Pablo Angrisano (3-3, 5 RBI) and Simon Albanese (3 RBI) hit homeruns for the Squadra Azzurra. Laidel Chapelli scored four times and drove in four. On the mound Chris Cooper, Carlos Pezzullo (W), Valerio Simone, Marco Grifantini and Tiago Da Silva shared the work-load. Oscar Carlstedt (L) started for Sweden and gave up three hits, six runs and four bb in one-plus innings. Curtis Dionne relieved him and couldn’t stop the bleeding either.
Czech Republic – Spain 1-14 (7)
ESP 102 710 3 14 13 0 CZE 010 000 0 1 5 1
Spain used a seven-run fourth to beat the Czech team 14-1 in ten-run rule shortened seven innings in Novara. Luis Perez (2-4, 4 RBI) and Daniel Sanchez (2-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI) hit homeruns. Emmanuel Febles scored three times. Yoel Hernandez (W) got the starting nod for Spain and allowed four hits, a run and two walks in five frames. Remigio Leal and Antonio Noguera closed it out. Jan Homolka (L) was charged with seven hits, eight runs and four bb in 3 1/3 innings. Radek Prochazka, Martin Schneider and Jan Rehacek also pitched in the game.
Schedule Day 2:
July 17:
- 16:00 Sweden – Czech Republic
- 21:00 Spain – Italy
(both games will be played in Torino)