Denmark finished its time in Zottegem, Belgium, on a real high note, earning its first win with a strong offensive showing in the seventh-place game of the Under-15 European Baseball Championship B Pool. In the semifinals, Ukraine posted an impressive result against a very strong Polish baseball squad, while Belgium needed a seventh-inning comeback to force extra innings against Israel, after which the host nation squeaked into the final in a nerve-wracking finish.
Ford Schröder had a day to remember for Denmark, slashing a triple and two doubles from the leadoff spot, stealing a base, scoring three times, and driving in five. Rasmus Dinesen finished a four-bagger short of the cycle while striking out six in a two-hitter for the win. Caleb Cohen had two hits and two swipes for Israel, making four position changes as well. Sid van den Branden launched a two-run homer in the first for Belgium on the way to a 4-for-4 day with a walk, two runs, and a pair of ribbies. Finally, Ukraine’s offense continued to benefit from “the Illias,” as Illia Kolomoiets read based three times, including a double and a triple, while Illia Maksymenko went 3-for-3 with a walk. Yehor Tatachenko whiffed nine in the victory.
Box scores are available here [link]. Previous coverage of the Belgium U15 Baseball Qualifier: Day 2 [link]. See also coverage of the Austria U15 Baseball Qualifier: Day 6 [link].
Playoffs Results and Schedule
July 24
Seventh: Denmark 18 – Estonia 3 (4)
Semifinal: Poland 4 – Ukraine 14 (5)
Semifinal: Israel 10 – Belgium 11 (8)
July 25
Fifth: Lithuania – Sweden
Third: Israel – Poland
Final: Belgium – Ukraine