Olimpija Karlovac defeated Nada Split 4-3 on Saturday, July 31, to win Game Seven of the 2021 Croatian championship series. Olimpija rallied from a 3-0 series deficit, winning four games in a row to lift the championship trophy at home.
Aside from a blowout Game Three victory for Nada, every game in the series was close, with two contests decided in extra innings. Olimpija avoided elimination for the first time with an 11th inning win on the road in Game Four and won Game Five by just one run.
For a recap of the hard-fought series, go here, and for photos of the Game Seven action — and the celebrations that followed –, check out our Facebook page.
Olimpija’s Phil Smith was named the champion series’ top hitter, with teammate Jose Mendoza the series’ top pitcher. Jose Herrera, also of Olimpija, was named MVP.
RESULTS
Game 1, July 10, Nada Split at Olimpija Karlovac, 7-4
Game 2, July 11, Nada Split at Olimpija Karlovac, 1-0 (12 innings)
Game 3, July 16, Olimpija Karlovac at Nada Split, 6-16 (8 innings)
Game 4, July 17, Olimpija Karlovac at Nada Split, 14-12 (11 innings)
Game 5, July 24, Olimpija Karlovac at Nada Split, 6-5
Game 6, July 25, Nada Split at Olimpija Karlovac, 3-6
Game 7, July 31, Nada Split at Olimpija Karlovac, 3-4