Host Italy and Germany booked their second victories at the U18 European championship on Tuesday, while Israel responded to its lopsided defeat on Monday with a big victory of its own in Day Two of the competition.
Israel and Lithuania were the first to step on the field on the second day, and Israel wasted no time, scoring three runs on three hits in the top of the first inning. Lithuania responded with a run in the bottom half of the frame, but Israel went on to add four runs in the second and seven more in the third on its way to securing a 14-1 victory (box score) by mercy rule after five innings. Itai Spinoza, who pitched solidly in Monday’s 18-0 defeat against the Netherlands (5IP, 2ER, 4K), impressed with his bat against the Lithuanians, driving in two runs on a 2-for-4 effort at the plate. Stymied by solid Israeli pitching, Lithuania’s batters collected just three hits themselves, with Dovydas Zakaras accounting for two of them in defeat.
In Game Two, Germany defeated Austria 12-2 (box score), with the game decided by mercy rule after Germany brought home four runners in the bottom of the sixth. Eleven of the 12 German hits were provided by just four batters, with Yannic Walther and Ben Siemer both going 3-for-4 and Tristan Russell and Luca Hörger both 2-for-4. On the mound, the German pitchers allowed just two hits (but walked six), with starter Paul Schmitz striking out nine in 3.2 innings of work. Reliever Tim Fischer picked up the W.
In the day’s final contest, Italy defeated France 13-6 (box score), with the hosts putting seven runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning to take a lead they would not relinquish. France responded with four runs on three hits in the second, but then only managed one further hit in the five innings that followed. For the Italians, the 1-4 hitters combined for 10 of the squad’s hits and all eight of the team’s RBI, with the bottom of the lineup contributing seven walks and seven runs scored.
Day Three action includes a number of compelling match-ups. Spain (1-0) and the Czech Republic (0-1) will meet up at 10:00 (CEST), and France (0-1) and Lithuania (0-2) will be on the hunt for their first victory starting at 15:00 (CEST). The day’s final contest takes place under the floodlights, with Italy (2-0) taking on the Netherlands (1-0) at 20:00 (CEST).
For a summary of Day One action, go here, and for complete standings and statistics and links to live streams, visit the WBSC Europe competition page.