From November 28 to December 20 the Asia Winter Baseball League takes place in Taichung and Dou-Liou, Taiwan. Team Europe was invited for the first time to compete against squads from NPB, KBO and CPBL. 16 games are on the schedule for the European team. Games will be streamed through www.cpbltv.com. Owen Ozanich of the Rouen Huskies is also part of the team and will send us first-hand impressions for Mister-Baseball.com.
Europe vs KBO 6-8
Following Saturday’s day off, Europe played well, but lost 8-6 to Korea on Sunday in Taichung. Europe’s pitchers struggled, giving up 11 hits and 6 walks to the KBO squad. As has been the case in many of the games, Team Europe showed they can field and hit with anyone. Led by multiple hit efforts from Italians Sebastiano Poma (2-for-5, .323) and Alberto Mineo (2-for-5, .225), Europe had the game tied at six apiece before the bullpen faltered. Next game Monday in Douliou vs. Chinese Taipei, first pitch 11 AM in Europe.
Europe vs CTBA 2-16
Team Europe hung with Chinese Taipei through seven innings on Monday evening in Douliou. Lars Huijer (2.65 ERA) started, going six innings, allowing just one run on three hits, no walks and two strikeouts. Europe had a 1-0 lead and Huijer had a no hitter through five. Leo Cespedes (5.14 ERA) followed Huijer, throwing a scoreless seventh. From that point on, nothing went right. Chinese Taipei showed why they are in first place, scoring 15 times in the final two innings. Freddy Noguera (.250) and Sebastiano Poma (.333) each contributed two hits for Europe. Final score 16-2.
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