by Jakub Janda
Rain-soaked day featured Slovenia beating Romania, Russia defeating Belarus, Israel getting over Austria in extras and Czech Republic beating Lithuania.
Game 9: Slovenia gets its first tournament victory over Romania
Strong relief work and power hitting gave Slovenia the advantage over Romania, 15:6.
Contest between Slovenia and Romania started slowly, as Romania scored once in the first. Slovenia was able to put up five in the second on five hits and two errors, Romania answered right back in the third by scoring four times and forcing Slovenian starter to leave the mound.
Game was tied at five after three brief innings, nevertheless Slovenian hitters took charge the fifth and the sixth, adding another nine runs to make it 14:6. Slovenian reliever Zan Skusek was dominant as he allowed only earned runs in his three innings of work. Romanian starter Demis-Claudiu Ancuta showed an extraordinary effort, pitching six complete innings. Fourteen runs crossed the plate on his watch, only seven were earned.
Final score was 15:6 for Slovenia, as they got a first win (having two loses also). Romania received its third lose.
Game 10: Russia prevails and wins the battle for East
Belarus was not able to keep the lead against the Russian rival and failed 7:13.
Russian starter Ilja Sladzinski started strong, shutting Belarus in the first. This momentum shifted to the bottom of the inning, when Russian national team struck for two early runs. Second inning saw four runs scored by both offenses as Belarus took advantage of a key error of Russian defense and put up three hits.
On the other hand, Belarusian defense managed to commit three errors, trailing 4:6. Third frame meant no changes to the scoreboard as both pitchers kept hitters off the board. Strong Belarusian comeback in the fourth tied the game at six after pitching control issues and Belarusian hits, a leading run came from a stolen base of home.
Russian loads the bases in the fourth and manages to score and take the commanding lead 13:7. They were able to prevail, making Russia a winner of the group and Belarus goes on with three loses. Game was shortened to five innings due to delays caused by the morning rain.
Game 11: Israel gets over Austria in extras to get to the semifinals
Extremely competitive ballgame went to extra innings and Israel turned out to be the winner – 7:6.
Israel took an early lead 1:0 in the square-off against Austria. Third inning saw another change of score as the Israelis added another two runs on a hit and three errors. Austria pushed back in the bottom of the inning, touching Israeli defense for two notches.
Fourth inning means no changes to the scoreboard, but three additional and game-changing runs from Austrian bats caused a shake-over. Two key hits make it 5:3 for Austria.
Israel was able to manufacture two runs as well, so the game was tied at five in half of the fifth. No changes to the score in the sixth are followed by a strong late-inning push by the Israelis, who were able to come across once – 6:5. Team even played extra innings and Israel came as a winner – 7:6
Israel goes on to the semifinals and it will face the Czech Republic on Thursday.
Game 12: Czech Republic defeats Lithuania
Strong Czech offensive outburst took down Lithuania 13:1.
Czech team scored ten in the first and cruised ever since. Lithuania managed to score once in the last inning, but was not able to resist to Czech offense for more than five innings.