Italy accomplished the biggest upset of the tournament so far. They surprised the USA with a 6-2 win. It is far more impressive, as the Americans looked really dominant in the first two games of the event.
Italy scored three runs each in the second and fourth inning. They placed well timed hits and got some help from sloppy defensive plays from their opponents. Team USA had cut the deficit in the third to one point, but couldn’t score after that. Three errors led to six unearned runs.
Mario CHIARINI was two for three with a RBI-double. Jack SANTORA (2 RBI), Max DI BIASE and Davide DALLOSPEDALE had RBI-singles.
Outfielder Justin RUGGIANO (USA) hit a solo-shot in the third. He had two hits in two at-bats overall and reached base in all four plate appearances.
Matteo D’ANGELO started for the squadra azzura. He gave up two runs on four hits in three innings. Roberto CORRADINI (W 1-0), Luca PANERATI and Cody CILLO followed him. The two in the United States born pitchers Chris DI ROMA and Anthony FERRARI in addition to single A minor leaguer Alessandro MAESTRI closed out the game. MAESTRI had some problems in the ninth, when he gave up two one-out and a two-out walk to load the bases, but he struck out Jayson NIX to end it.
Josh OUTMAN (L 0-1) gave up three runs, all unearned, on five hits and two walks in three innings. He struck out two.
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