Russia has won the European Championship Softball U22 Women in Dupnitsa, Bulgaria. In a thrilling final on Saturday they prevailed 14-13 in eight innings over the Czech Republic. The Czech team had taken a 13-12 lead in the top of the eighth, but Russia answered with a pair of RBI singles to win in walk-off fashion.
Both teams were the best in the tournament and had already met in the second semi-final on Friday with Russia winning 7-5. Greece had won the second semi-final 9-2 against Bulgaria for a meeting with the Czech team. But the Greek team had no chance on Saturday morning losing 0-10 in four innings to finish in third place.
Irina Ilyashenko (Russia) got named Most Valuable Player at the end of the tournament. Ludmila Broukalova (Czech Republic) was the best batter, Loren-Kathryn Stavrou (Greece) best pitcher.
Results:
Friday, July 11, 2014:
Poland – Ukraine 0-7 (ff)
Greece – Bulgaria 9-2 (5)
Slovakia – Poland 7-0 (ff)
Czech Republic – Russia 5-7 (6)
Saturday, July 12, 2014:
Czech Republic – Greece 10-0 (4)
Ukraine – Slovakia 3-2
Russia – Czech Republic 14-13 (8)
Final Standings:
- Russia
- Czech Republic
- Greece
- Bulgaria
- Ukraine
- Slovakia
- Poland