The Czech Republic has won the U15 European Championship for the first time since 2007. The Czech team defeated host France in the Gold Medal Game on Saturday in dramatic fashion 10-9. The Czech Republic had finished second in five of the last six editions of the Cadets European Championships. 2015 champion Germany defeated Russia 10-3 in the Bronze Medal Game.
Gold Medal Game:
Czech Republic – France 10-9
The final between the Czech Republic and France ended with a wild finish. The Czech team had taken an early and commanding lead, being up 10-3 after four innings. However the French team didn’t give up and tried to initiate a mammoth comeback in the seventh. With one out Nicolas Khoury cut the deficit to 9-10 with a two-run single and shortly after stole second. With runners on second and third however Czech closer Patrik Kadrnozka forced Louis Foucaud into a flyout in foul territory at first and then struck out Maxime Chateigner to end the game. Ondrej Lochman had three hits and two RBI to lead the Czech offense. Tomas Zachoval received the win. Khoury drove in three for France. Meylian Marin got charged with the loss.
Bronze Medal Game:
Germany – Russia 10-3
Germany captured third place in the final standings with a 10-3 win over Russia. The team of head coach Georg Bull overcame an early 1-3 deficit and sealed the win with seven combined runs in the fifth and sixth. Dominic Feil collected four RBI. Yoshua Steigert, Ian Post, Maxi Siegert-Bomhard and Elian Gentner scored two runs apiece. Simon Bäumer pitched six innings, allowing three hits, three runs (2 ER) and two walks to pick up the win. Andrey Pekhotkin issued seven hits, six runs (4 ER) and four base on balls in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss.
Classification Round:
Lithuania – Austria 8-9
Austria won the second game of the classification round on Saturday afternoon in Rouen by a score of 9-8 against Lithuania. With the win Austria clinched fifth place in the final standings. Austria was leading 5-2 after four innings and the score stood, when the final frame started. Austria struck first and took a 9-2 lead with a four-run top of the seventh. In the bottom of the frame Lithuania loaded the bases with two outs and slowly began chipping off the deficit. Vilius Paikovas brought Lithuania within a run with a bases clearing double. He then advanced on a wild pitch and wanted to force the winning run, when he raced home, but got thrown out at the plate to end the game.
Final Standings
1) Czech Republic
2) France
3) Germany
4) Russia
5) Austria
6) Lithuania
7) Slovenia
Complete results, box scores and statistics for the U15 European Championship are available through www.baseballstats.eu