On Friday the semi-finals at the European Championships Cadets in Brno, Czech Republic and the first games of the classification round took place.
Semi-Finals
Netherlands – Russia 4-5
About one year ago, the Netherlands won the title at the European Championships Cadets in Rome by overcoming a 0-7 deficit against Russia in the finals. Twelve months later another rally came up short. Russia again had the better start, scoring four runs in the opening frame and building up a 5-0 lead after the top of the fourth. The Dutch team tried to come back again, but after putting four runs on the board in the next two periods, their offense couldn’t produce the tying run and they lost 4-5. Dmitry Semenov allowed five hits, four runs (1 ER) and three bb in a seven-inning complete game. He threw 90 pitches and struck out six. Left fielder Denis Leonov drove in three with a triple in the first.
Czech Republic – Italy 0-12 (5)
Italy scored in each of the five innings against the Czech team en route to an easy 12-0 shutout. Valerio Lucini retired 15 of the 16 batters he faced. A single by Jan Novak with two outs in the fourth denied the perfect game bid. He struck out three and threw 43 pitches. Third baseman Mario Trinci went two-for-two with a triple, a double and three RBI. Center fielder Davide Benetti scored three times.
Classification Round
Slovakia – Ukraine 6-12
The Ukraine celebrated its first victory at the tournament, out-powering Slovakia 12-6. Vladyel Bondarovskyi and Illa Velkykyi combined to go nine-for-ten with six runs scored and three RBI. Maksym Romanchuk pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings for the win.
Germany – Austria 21-2 (5)
The German team captured its second victory in Brno, scoring ten runs in the opening frame on their way to an easy 21-2 win in five innings. Shortstop Michael Wingendorf went four-for-four with three runs scored and five RBI, hitting out of the leadoff spot. Marvin Bolz picked up the win, striking out eight in five strong innings. He gave up four hits, two runs (1 ER) and a walk.
Standings Classification Round:
- Germany 2-0
- Slovakia 1-1
- Ukraine 1-1
- Austria 0-2
Schedule:
Saturday, July 11th:
Classification Round:
10:00 Austria – Ukraine
14:00 Germany – Slovakia
Bronze Medal Game:
11:30 Netherlands – Czech Republic
Finals:
16:00 Italy – Russia
Complete schedule and live play by play on official competition website of CEB