The preliminary phase in the European Softball Championship Women in Valencia, Spain ended on Wednesday. The Czech Republic, Great Britain and Italy advance from group B, the Netherlands, Russia and Germany join from group A. The other four teams have to fight against relegation. The Dutch squad now is the lone remaining undefeated team in the tournament.
Great Britain – Italy 0-1 (8)
Italy with starting pitcher Leslie Malerich (W 2-0) won a pitcher’s duel 1-0 against Great Britain, when A Montanari scored on a sac bunt to by S Bosdachin in the top of the eighth. The British squad, which had won the first three games, couldn’t answer. Malerich finished with nine K’s in eight scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and a walk. Stacie Townsend (L 2-1) conceded just one unearned run on one hit in eight innings, striking out ten.
Austria – Germany 0-3
Germany clinched a berth in the second round with a 3-0 shutout against Austria. They scored all three runs in the second, two on a single to center field by M Kemmer. Mona Hoerner (W 1-0) allowed just one hit and four walks in 6 1/3 innings. Janneke Ogink escaped a one-out bases-loaded situation unharmed in the seventh to pick up the save. Martina Lackner (L 1-1) issued nine hits, three runs and three bb in 6 1/3 innings.
Czech Republic – Slovakia 9-0 (5)
Lucie Zappova and Kristyna Kalinova (W 1-0) combined to throw five perfect innings for the Czech Republic in a mercy-rule shortened 9-0 shutout. L Petraskova and Pochobradska each collected two runs and two RBI. Silvia Gastanova (L 0-1) conceded eight unearned runs on six hits in three innings.
Russia – France 18-3 (4)
Russia celebrated a lopsided 18-3 victory against France. E Povarova went three-for-four with two doubles, three runs scored and four RBI. E Shishkina and Y Sazonkina combined for six RBI. Daria Shembereva (W 1-0) allowed four hits, three runs (1 ER) and four bb in 3 1/3 innings. Laurence Cornaille (L 0-1) gave up eleven hits, twelve runs (6 ER) and three walks in two-plus innings.
Italy – Czech Republic 1-8 (5)
The Czech team surprised Italy by scoring seven runs in fourth en route to an 8-1 win. D Pfeiferova and L Petraskova got two RBI each. Lucie Zappova (W 1-0) surrendered just two hits, one unearned run and a bb in five innings. Michela Musteli (L 0-1) was responsible for three hits, three runs (2 ER) and a walk in 3 1/3 innings.
Germany – Netherlands 0-9 (5)
The Netherlands scored eight runs in the first three innings against Germany on their way to a 9-0 win. Dagmar Bloeming (W 1-0) issued just five hits and a walk in five scoreless innings. She struck out six. Four players of the Dutch team scored twice. Lisa Jansen (L 0-1) issued three hits, six runs (2 ER) and three bb in 2 2/3 innings.
Slovakia – Spain 1-4
Host Spain got their first win of the tournament, defeating Slovakia 4-1 after scoring two runs in each of the fifth and seventh. I Galarraga went three-for-three with two RBI. E Murillo scored twice. Beatriz Parejo (W 1-2) pitched four scoreless innings of relief for the win. Lucia Lencsesova (L 0-1) gave up five hits, four runs (2 ER) and three bb in 6 2/3 innings.
Standings:
Group A:
- Netherlands 4-0
- Russia 3-1
- Germany 2-2
- Austria 1-3
- France 0-4
Group B:
- Czech Republic 3-1
- Great Britain 3-1
- Italy 3-1
- Spain 1-3
- Slovakia 0-4
Schedule:
July 30:
(Teams take records from first round into second phase)
Group C:
9:00 Czech Republic – Germany
11:00 Great Britain – Russia
11:00 Netherlands – Italy
20:00 Russia – Czech Republic
18:00 Germany – Italy
20:00 Netherlands – Great Britain
Group D:
9:00 Austria – Spain
18:00 France – Slovakia