European Cup Nettuno: Danesi Nettuno – Port of Antwerp Greys 7-0
MRG 000 000 000 0 1 1 NET 200 000 41X 7 10 2
Massimiliano Masin (W 1-0) and Fabio Mariani led DANESI NETTUNO with a combined one-hitter to a 7-0 victory over the Belgian champion PORT OF ANTWERP GREYS. Masin, who struck out seven and walked three, saw his no-hit bid end in the ninth, when Dennis van Hoof led off the frame with a single through the left side of the infield. Mariani replaced him and got a double play and a groundout to close out the shutout.
Manuel Gasparri put NETTUNO on the board in the opening frame, driving in Giuseppe Mazzanti and Ramon Tavarez with a single. They needed until the seventh inning to extend the lead, blowing a close game open with a four-run rally.
Andy Ruelle (L 0-1) started for MERKSEM, allowing nine hits, six runs (4 ER) and three walks in 6 2/3 innings. After the rocky start he found his rhythm on the mound, before tiring at the end of his outing.
DANESI needs a win over ROUEN on Saturday to make sure that they will finish in one of the first two positions in the final standings. The PORT OF ANTWERP GREYS can avoid last place with a victory over the Spanish champion TENERIFE MARLINS.