Finals: Belgium – Austria 3-1
AUT 001 000 000 1 6 0 BEL 020 000 01X 3 4 2
The Belgian National Team used their home field advantage in Antwerp and defeated Austria 3-1 on Saturday to secure first place at the Qualifier, after winning the best-of-three series 2-0. They already had won on Friday 5-2.
Kevin Roevens got them on the board with a two-run single in the bottom of the second for a 2-0 lead. Clemens Cichocki made it 1-2 for Austria with a RBI single in the third. They even had a chance to score more, but Peter Ferak Jr. grounded into a inning ending double play with runners on second and third. The host added an insurance runs in the eighth through a RBI groundout by Steven Delannoy to seal the win.
Dennis Van Hoof (W 1-0) struck out twelve in a complete game victory. He allowed one run on six hits and a walk. Walter Strasser (L 0-1) didn’t make much wrong, but lost in the pitcher’s duel. He was charged with four hits, three runs (2 ER) and a base on balls in eight innings. He had ten strikeouts.
For Third Place: Switzerland – Malta 12-6
MAL 200 000 400 6 7 5 SUI 100 142 40X 12 12 4
Switzerland secured third place at the Qualifier with a 12-6 victory against Malta on Saturday morning. They scored eleven of the twelve runs between the fourth and seventh frame to decide the outcome. The outfielders Reto Siegel (3-4) and Stefan Koller combined for seven RBIs. Angelo Rodriguez, Saentis Zeller and Daniel Traina each scored twice. Marlon Borg reached home two times for Malta.
Christoph Beyeler (W 1-0) allowed four hits, two runs and five bb in six innings. He struck out nine in the solid start. Michael Bartolo (L 0-1) was responsible for twelve hits, twelve runs (8 ER) and four walks in 6 2/3 innings. He had seven strikeouts.
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Photo: © Joe Yun