by Philipp Würfel
Great Britain got an head start into the second round of the European championship. They overcame a 3-7 deficit in the fourth inning and won 10-7 against Sweden. They scored three Runs in the ninth.
The Scandinavian team scored four times in the first frame and lead by four until the sixth. Brant Ust tied the game in the seventh inning with a rbi-single. The British team completed the comeback two periods later. Timothy Collins got on base through a leadoff-walk. He advanced to second on a single from Adam Roberts and scored on a throwing error from third baseman Rickard Ljung. Mike Nickeas followed with a two-run-single for the final score.
Nickeas (3-5) and Ian Young (4-6) had six of the eight rbi for their squad. Ust got two hits and three base on balls. He and Aeden McQueary-Ennis scored two runs each.
The best hitters for the Swedish squad were Magnus Pilegard and Rickard Reimer. Pilegard had three hits and two runs. Reimer got two runs and two rbi in the loss.
Michael Renery was the starting pitcher for Great Britain. He was replaced after only two outs and 26 Pitches in the first inning. He was responsible for four runs (4 ER) and four base on balls. Reliever Geoff Freeborn saved the bullpen with 5 2/3 innings of three-hit-ball. He allowed only one run on three hits and two walks. He struck out five. Stephen Spragg received his second win of the tournament.
Christian Staehely started for Sweden. He threw 124 Pitches over five-plus innings. He gave up eleven hits, five runs (4 ER) and five base on balls. Johan Tisell (L, 0-1) faced 13 batter in the last 2 1/3 innings, allowed five hits, three runs (2 ER) and two walks.
Great Britain is now in a first place tie with the Netherlands who have three wins apiece. They meet on Sunday in the decisive game of the championships. They are playing Germany on Saturday. Sweden is now in last with a 0-3 record. They clash with France about fifth place tomorrow morning.