Three teams are 2-1 after four days at the European Championship C-Pool in Ljubljana. On Thursday Serbia and Slovenia prevailed to join Norway in a three-way tie for first. On the last day of the preliminary round on Friday Norway takes on Ireland, while Serbia faces Slovenia. For Finland the tournament is over with a 1-3 record.
Ireland – Serbia 6-9
Serbia celebrated a 9-6 win over Ireland in the morning game in Ljubljana on Thursday. Both teams scored five times in the first three innings. Ireland then took a 6-5 lead with a RBI single by Patrick O’Shea in the fifth. However Serbia scored four runs – three through a three-run home run by Nikola Ignjatovic – in the sixth to turn the game around. Nat Anglin and Matt Steerman hit home runs for Ireland. Danjil Kozjak struck out eight in nine innings, allowing ten hits, six runs and four base on balls to pick up the win. Brendan Scott got charged with the loss, surrendering 11 hits, eight runs (6 ER) and three walks in 5 1/3 innings.
Finland – Slovenia 0-5
Slovenia captured their second win in the tourney with a 5-0 shutout over Finland in the early evening game. Jakob Trobec put Slovenia in front with a RBI single in the first. They added two more each in the third and the seventh to seal the victory. Trobec finished with three hits and two RBI. Martin Godnic and Tadej Brelih crossed the plate two times apiece. Miha Grismic and Rok Vadas combined to keep Finland off the board despite giving up eight runs and four walks in nine innings. Ismo Ankkur took the loss, issuing six hits, three runs (2 ER) and a base on balls in three innings.
Standings after Day 4:
The final of the European Championship C-Pool in Ljubljana on Saturday at 2pm will be broadcasted via live stream. Local organizers have launched a dedicated Facebook page to inform about the tournament. Additionally live play by play will be available through the CEB competition website www.baseballstats.eu