The World Junior AAA Baseball Championship is underway, getting started on Friday in Edmonton, Canada. The young Italian team, one of four European teams in the tournament, had the tough task and honor to play in the game right after the opening ceremony against host Canada. They lost 0-7. The maple leafs took a fast 2-0 lead and decided the outcome finally with four runs in the sixth. Stosh Wawrzasek pitched seven innings for Canada to pick up the win. Michael Crouse and Brett Lawrie each drove in two. Massimo Pesci had two of the four hits for Italy. Gianfranco Grillo allowed two runs in four innings to take the loss.
In other action on the first day of the event Puerto Rico upset Cuba 5-4, scoring five runs in the seventh and eighth to overcome a 0-3 deficit. Vasquez Navarro had three RBI for Puerto Rico. Iglesias Aleman went three-for-five with two runs scored for the Cubans.
In the third game Australia scored ten of their eleven runs in a 11-7 victory versus Mexico between the fifth and seventh frame. James Linger and Crew Moanaroa each drove in three. Rory Rhodes scored three times. Aldazaba Gutierrez was three-for-three with two runs scored for Mexico.
Russia, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic kick off their schedule on Saturday.
Results Friday July 25th:
Australia – Mexico 11-7
MEX 000 120 004 7 9 1 AUS 010 052 30X 11 13 2
Canada – Italy 7-0
ITA 000 000 000 0 4 5 CAN 110 004 10X 7 7 0
Puerto Rico – Cuba 5-4
CUB 001 000 201 4 8 1 PUE 000 000 32X 5 5 3
Complete Schedule, Results, Standings, Stats, Rosters on IBAF.org