The preliminary round at the European Championship Juniors in Bonn is over and only four of the ten teams advance into the semi-finals. After the Netherlands and Italy had locked down their spot easily with 4-0 records, Russia and France clinched their berths with better tie-breakers over Germany, Slovakia, Spain and the Czech Republic.
Spain – Czech Republic 9-4
Spain scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh en route to a 9-4 victory over the Czech Republic. They now will face Germany in the game for fifth place. The Czech team has to battle against relegation. Alejandro Sanchez went three-for-four with a triple, two runs scored and two RBI. Jesus Leon and Felix Cano Jr. also scored twice. Oscar Jimenez (W 1-1) gave up six hits, four runs (2 ER) and four bb going the distance. He struck out ten. Vojtech Jurdzin (L 0-1) issued four runs (1 ER) on six hits in four-plus innings.
Belgium – Italy 1-17 (7)
Italy pounded out 18 hits in a 17-1 win over Belgium. They scored runs in six of the seven innings. Giuseppe Sellaroli collected four hits, two runs and two RBI. Alberto Varin and Mirko Caradonna combined for six RBI. Alessandro Tiberi (W 1-0) conceded three hits, a run and three bb in five innings. Ben van Nuffel (L 0-1) surrendered seven hits, eight runs (7 ER) and four walks in three innings.
Ukraine – Russia 1-10
Russia clinched their semi-final berth with an easy 10-1 victory over the Ukraine. Alexander Khudyakov (W 1-1) issued just one unearned run on six hits and two walks in 8 1/3 innings to seal the win. Juri Bakalets went four-for-five with two runs scored and a RBI. Alexander Bolgov and Arkadiy Kurgachev drove in two each. Roman Mayfat (L 0-2) allowed 13 hits, eight runs (7 ER) and two bb in 6 1/3 innings.
Slovakia – Netherlands 1-11 (8)
Casper Capel (W 1-0) gave up just one unearned run on one hit and two walks in seven innings to lead the Dutch team to an 11-1 win in eight innings over Slovakia. Brian Eradus closed out the one-hitter with a perfect eighth. Nick Urbanus tripled twice and drove in three to lead the offense. Besides left fielder Danny Arribas every player in the starting lineup of the Netherlands had at least a hit, four of them scored twice. Marek Bosansky (L 0-1) issued eight hits and seven runs (4 ER) in six innings.
Standings:
Pool A
- Netherlands 4-0
- Russia 2-2
- Germany 2-2
- Slovakia 2-2
- Ukraine 0-4
Pool B
- Italy 4-0
- France 2-2
- Spain 2-2
- Czech Republic 2-2
- Belgium 0-4
Schedule:
Saturday, August 8:
09:00 Classification Round: Czech Republic – Ukraine
12:00 Semi-Final: Netherlands – France
13:00 Classification Round: Slovakia – Belgium
17:00 Semi-Final: Italy – Russia
17:00 Game for 5th Place: Spain – Germany