Sweden scored eight runs in the final three innings to break open a close game and roll to a 11-2 win over Croatia Sunday in Pool A action.
Mattias STENIS (1-0) tossed a complete game four-hitter to pick up the win. The Swedish starter walked three and fanned six en route to the win. Slobodan GALES (0-1) suffered the loss giving up four runs on seven hits in six innings on the mound.
Adam SORGI doubled home Philip GAJZLER in the third to open the scoring and give Sweden a 1-0 lead. The Swedish increased the lead to 3-0 when Tony DERMENDZIEV ripped a triple to right field scoring Rickard LJUNG and Per LINDGREN.
Sweden scored twice in the seventh – thanks to a bases loaded single by Magnus PILEGARD – and a double by DERMENDZIEV the following inning capped a three-run outburst to increase the lead to 8-0.
The Swedish National Team (1-1) added three more runs in the final inning for an 11-0 lead before Croatia’s Ernesto PEREIRA singled home Damir KARIN and Dario CUSAK to make the final score 11-2.
The Croatian National Team (0-2), which upset Sweden 2-0 in the 2005 tournament, committed four errors and have now lost 10 of their last 11 tournament contests.
Sweden will meet the tourney favorites – the Dutch – on Monday while Croatia will battle unbeaten Germany.