The European Championships Cadets ended on Saturday in Brno, Czech Republic with the trophy going to Italy. Russia, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands completed the top four.
Final
Italy – Russia 9-2
In the final on Saturday afternoon in the ballpark of the Czech record champion AVG DRACI BRNO, Italy took the lead for good thanks to a four-run rally in the third en route to a 9-2 win over Russia. First baseman Davide Anselmi went four-for-four with a double and three RBI. Center fielder Davide Benetti scored three times. Italy’s starter Paolo Taschini (W 1-0) allowed three hits, two runs and three bb in three innings. Lorenzo Gradali struck out five in four scoreless innings of two-hit relief. Nikita Lobanov (L 0-1) was charged with seven runs on ten hits and a walk in five innings. Russia finished in second place for the second year in a row. Italy was in fourth one year ago.
Game for Third Place
Netherlands – Czech Republic 8-11
The Czech team won a slugfest against last year’s winner the Netherlands 11-8 to take third place in the tournament. Right fielder Tomas Zelinka drove in two. Vojtech Dedek, who started at second base, crossed the plate three times. Rodney Daal doubled thrice and drove in four for the Dutch team. Dion Sanchez collected four runs.
Classification Round
Austria – Ukraine 15-6
Austria moved into sixth place in the final standings with a 15-6 victory over the Ukraine on Saturday. Catcher Alexander Buchelt and right fielder Marcel Ceska homered and combined for five RBI. Center fielder Ferdinand Obed drove in four. Denys Brechko went four-for-four for the Ukraine, which finished in eighth place.
Germany – Slovakia 8-3
After having lost the two opening games of the tournament against Italy and the Netherlands, Germany won their third straight game on Saturday against Slovakia. They scored five runs in the first three frames en route to an 8-3 victory. Anton Helmig threw 83 pitches and allowed eight hits, three runs and two bb in a complete game win. Corner outfielder Julian Prade collected three hits and three runs.
Final Standings Classification Round:
- Germany 3-0
- Austria 1-2
- Slovakia 1-2
- Ukraine 1-2
Final Standings European Championship Cadets:
- Italy
- Russia
- Czech Republic
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Austria
- Slovakia
- Ukraine
Complete Results and Stats on Official Competition Website of the CEB