LIT 100 000 003 4 7 2 CRO 100 110 20X 5 9 3
Croatia defeated Lithuania on Saturday in Karlovac 5-4 to decide the best-of-three series 2-0, as they already had won the preliminary round match 8-3 on Thursday. After both teams scored once in the opening period, the Croatians took the lead in the fourth on a RBI single by Filip Berecka. Josip Brozinic drove in the third run with a RBI groundout an inning later. They added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh through Damir Karin’s (3-3, BB) two-run single.
They needed the advantage greatly, as Lithuania rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth. They loaded the bases with two outs through two singles and an error. Arunas Dankovskis stepped to the plate and cleared the bases with a triple. But the Croatian made a pitching change and Ernesto Pereira (S 1) struck out Tomas Jankoitis to secure the victory.
James Summers (W 2-0) pitched 8 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits, four runs (1 ER) and two base balls, striking out eight. Marijus Dargis (L 0-1) gave up seven hits, five runs (3 ER) and four walks in six innings.