Slovakia finished round robin play at the European Baseball Championship B-Pool in Poland with an easy win, while a de facto semifinal between Ireland and Poland was initially much more one-sided than expected before things tightened up. Earlier in the day, Lithuania earned its first win, setting up a three-way tie for fourth place.
Slovakia – Norway
There was never any doubt that Slovakia would claim its fifth win in as many tries at Wrocławska Arena Sportu Baseball Field, Poland, leaping out to a four-run first and never letting up, scoring in every inning on the way to a big victory. Samuel Holekši went the distance for Slovakia, surrendering just a single hit and one free pass with six Ks in the shutout. Samuel Chrvala went 4-for-5 from the leadoff spot, while Damon Atkinson, Maxim Samson, and Michal Suchoň each posted a double and a single, with Atkinson scoring four times.
Ireland – Poland
Although the Irish started well, with Colin Walsh smashing a two-run shot to deep right center in the first. However, Hubert Zgórzyński had his own retort in the bottom half of the inning, leading off with a triple and, eight batters later, smacking a two-run double. Jakub Wojtczak then followed with a longball as Poland posted a nine-run inning. After six more runs in the following frame, Poland coasted through the remainder of the game, though Ireland did muster a five-run fifth.
Zgórzyński was a homer short of the cycle in a 3-for-3 day, scoring thrice and driving in three. Wojtczak added a double to his dinger, plating four. Finally, Dominik Grzecicha was a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs as Poland’s catcher. Walsh later ripped a double and a single, driving in three for Ireland. Brendan Flaherty continued a strong B-Pool with 1.1 shutout frames to close, whiffing three. However, Poland’s bullpen was more than equal, as Łukasz Krzemienowski fired two shutout frames with a pair of strikeouts and Markos Romo sent down another two in a final scoreless inning.
Lithuania – Ukraine
Although Ukraine plated four in the sixth, by this time, Lithuania already had a 9-1 lead and was fresh off a four-run sixth of its own, with Martynas Sadzevičius smacking a solo shot to start the inning. The final result involved 15 hits for Lithuania, with Zach Titas recording four of them, Braydon Titas pitching in three, and Kanus Janušauskas notching a double, a single, and three RBI. Former Pittsburgh Pirate Dovydas Neverauskas did double duty, striking out nine in six innings for the win and adding two hits at the plate. Viacheslav Babii homered for Ukraine, while Dmytro Limarenko had three hits.
Box scores are available here [link]. Previous coverage includes: Preview [link], Day 3 [link]. See also coverage of the Baseball Euros Bulgaria Qualifier: Day 4 [link].
Results and Schedule
July 31
Lithuania 11 – Ukraine 6
Slovakia 16 – Norway 0 (6)
Ireland 7 – Poland 17 (7)
Aug. 1
Final: Poland – Slovakia
Standings
| Team | W-L | RF | RA |
| Slovakia | 5-0 | 57 | 16 |
| Poland | 4-1 | 69 | 24 |
| Ireland | 3-2 | 36 | 33 |
| Norway | 1-4 | 18 | 58 |
| Ukraine | 1-4 | 25 | 42 |
| Lithuania | 1-4 | 24 | 56 |