Australia recovered from their loss against Chinese Taipei on Thursday and beat Italy 4-3. It was the second defeat for the Italian team.
The Aussies scored two runs through intelligent base running by Tom BRICE (reached with a leadoff double in the second, advanced through a fly ball and scored on a weak groundball) and Luke HUGHES (leadoff double in third, stole third base and scored on a wild pitch) to take a fast 2-0 lead. Italy cut the lead through an error, a balk and a RBI-single by Max DE BIASE to 1-2. But Australia answered right away and added two more runs in the fifth after a RBI-triple by Trent OELTJEN and a solo homerun by Justin HUBER. The Italian team rallied in the bottom of the seventh frame for two runs. Laidel CHAPELLI was involved in both. He hit a RBI-triple and scored on a hit by Leonardo ZILERI.
Travis BLACKLEY allowed three hits, one unearned run and one walk in five innings. He struck out three in his first game since September 29. He threw just 67 pitches. Dushan RUZIC relieved him for three innings. Tristan CRAWFORD closed out the game.
Junior OBERTO started for Italy. He gave up two runs on four hits in four innings. He struck out one. Cody CILLO, Chris DI ROMA and Mattia SALSI followed him on the mound.
Australian infielder Gavin FINGLESON left the game in the second inning, after fouling a ball off his leg. He is listed as day-to-day.
AUS 011 020 000 4 8 3
ITA 000 100 200 3 6 1