After Wednesday’s game day at the B-Level European Championship in Vienna, Austria put Sweden and Israel into pole position to reach the final on Saturday, Thursday changed that thought process. First Lithuania stunned Israel in the afternoon. Secondly Austria won an extra inning thriller against Sweden to get back into the mix. Additionally Belarus defeated Poland. The first round ends on Friday. Austria reaches the final with a win over Belarus in the evening, as does the winner of the afternoon contest between Sweden and Israel.
Belarus – Poland 16-13
In a high-scoring affair on Thursday morning Belarus defeated Poland 16-13. Belarus turned a 3-7 deficit into a 14-7 lead with 11 runs in the fifth and sixth to seal their first win in the tournament. Poland dropped to 0-4. Siarhei Sokal and Anton Pryputnevich scored four runs apiece. Dzmitry Hidleuski doubled and drove in four. Jakub Wojtczak tripled twice, scored three times and had two RBI for Poland. Aliaksei Lukashevich picked up the win in relief. Jakub Kolasinski got charged with the loss.
Lithuania – Israel 7-5
The afternoon game provided the first big surprise of the week, as Lithuania prevailed 7-5 over Israel. Lithuania was in control of the game from the beginning, taking a quick 4-0 lead after four innings. Israel tried to get back and cut the deficit to 3-4 midway through the seventh, but three insurance runs sealed the win over Lithuania. Dalius Neliupsis scored three times for Lithuania and then nearly gave away the victory by struggling in relief. But Eimantas Zickus bailed him out by getting the last two outs. Marijus Dargis struck out seven in 6 1/3 solid innings, allowing ten hits, three runs and four walks. Dan Rothem took the loss, surrendering four hits, six runs (3 ER) and three base on balls in seven.
Sweden – Austria 5-8 (10)
In the evening Sweden and Austria battled in a memorable night game. The host eventually won the thriller 8-5 in ten innings. Sweden had the better start and got up in front 4-0 after five innings. But Austria scored thrice in the sixth and tied the game on a sac fly by Joachim Frick in the seventh. In the tenth Austria batted first and put four runs on the board with the big blow being a two-run double by Claus Seiser. Sweden was able to score as well in the bottom half of the frame, but it was too little to complete rally for the tie. Peter Johannessen doubled twice and scored three times. Fabian Hirnschal got the win with three strong innings in relief. Nicklas Melin took the loss.
Standings:
|
Pos
|
Team
|
GP
|
WO
|
LO
|
AVG
|
GB
|
|
1
|
 Austria |
4
|
3
|
1
|
750
|
0
|
|
2
|
 Israel |
4
|
3
|
1
|
750
|
0
|
|
3
|
 Sweden |
4
|
3
|
1
|
750
|
0
|
|
4
|
 Lithuania |
4
|
2
|
2
|
500
|
1
|
|
5
|
 Belarus |
4
|
1
|
3
|
250
|
2
|
|
6
|
 Poland |
4
|
0
|
4
|
0
|
3
|
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