AMGA Legnano and Sparks Haarlem win Softball European Cups

AMGA LEGNANO and SPARKS  HAARLEM won the Softball European Cups, which took place last week in Prague (Czech Republic) and Bollate (Italy). LEGNANO shut out the Austrian champion DORNBIRN SHARX 4-0 in the final of the European Cup behind a strong performance by starting pitcher Aimee Murch. She allowed just one hit and four walks in a complete game win. Daniela Castellani drove in all four runs for the Italian champion of 2007. Jocelyn McCallum took the loss, when she gave up four runs on three hits. Both teams only had lost just one game en route to the finals.

The SPARKS defeated SANOTINT BOLLATE 5-2 after eight innings in the finals of the Cup Winners Cup to take home the title. Saskia Kosterink drove in the go-ahead run with a RBI fielder’s choice. Jolanda Kroesen followed with a RBI double. She later scored on an error to finalize the score. BOLLATE had tied the game in the bottom of the seventh through Kelly Hardie’s RBI double. Judith van Kampen went the distance to pick up her third victory in the tournament. Hardie took the loss after five innings of relief. SANOTINT had a perfect 8-0 record in the preliminary round and had beaten HAARLEM twice before the title game on Saturday. SPARKS needed a 15-0 pounding against SABAT PRAGUE in the game for third place to reach the finals. Valentina Marazzi (Bollate) received the MVP award. Rachel Johnson (.552, Wanderers, Austria) took home the batting title. Anna Neuser (1.33, Brauweiler, Germany) had the best ERA. Kim Kafoe (Haarlem) was awarded with the best fielder trophy.

Final Standings European Cup, Prague:

1. BSC Legnano AMGA (ITA)
2. BSC Dornbirn Sharx (AUT)
3. Fiorini Softball Club Forli (ITA)
4. Carrousel Bosco Sport (RUS)
5. SK Joudrs Praha (CZE)
6. Terrasvogels Softball (NED)
7. Mannheim Tornados BSC (GER)
8. Club Beisbol Viladecans (SPA)
9. Skövde Saints (SWE)
10. Brasschaat Base-Softball Club (BEL)

Final Standings European Cup Winners Cup, Bollate:

1. Sparks Haarlem (NED)
2. Sanotint Bollate (ITA)
3. SaBat Prague (CZE)
4. Moskovia Marino (RUS)
5. Borgerhout Squirrels (BEL)
6. Superfund Wanderers (AUT)
7. Raging Abbots Brauweiler (GER)
8. Antorcha (ESP)
9. Comanches Toulon (FRA)

Visit the official websites of the European Cup in Prague and the Cup Winners Cup in Bollate for complete results, stats and rosters.