The Netherlands just barely lived up to their role as favorites in the first game of the day. The Oranjes won against the Czech Republic 2-1. So it was clear: If Great Britain wins the night game against Austria, then the semi-finalists from group A will be determined. Of course, the local heroes wanted to prevent that. A very difficult task, after all, the Brits traveled to Wiener Neustadt with no fewer than 19 players from North American colleges. The pitchers dominated the first inning. The Brits collected their three outs just as quickly as pitcher Konstantin Teufel on the Austrian side, who recorded two strike-outs and one fly-out.
The second round brought Dan Kawanishi’s first base hit, but he was stranded on first base. Edward Taylor ended the second inning with his first strike-out of the game against Justin Furböck. When Teufel entered the throwing mound again, the rain that had accompanied the game from the start became increasingly heavier. Two Brits made it to base before the match was suspended for around 45 minutes due to the weather. Around 20 helpers with brooms, tarpaulins, rollers and cat litter (to bind the water out of the sand of the running track) made sure that things went on.
Numerous helpers made the waterlogged field playable again.
After the break, Donovan Crock brought his two runners home with a solid punch between the Austrian outfielders – 2-0 for Great Britain. The situation remained tense. Teufel hardly produced any strikes in this phase. Two walks made it 4-0. Andrew Johnston made sure that two more Britons crossed home plate – 6:0. Then Lennard Halper took over for Teufel as a pitcher. A sacrifice fly by the Brits and an error by the Austrians at first base gave the Brits an 8-0 lead after two innings.
Austria presents itself combative
The game was actually already decided at this point. But the Austrians had fun doing at least cosmetic results. Alex Resel and Christoph Hoscher made it to base and Julian Faulhaber made it possible for Resel to run with his hit. Thanks to a walk, Hoscher made it 8:2. Angelo Thau, who replaced Halper as pitcher, then held himself harmless. The third inning ended with a spectacular out. Rayondre Mercer first lost his helmet while sprinting, then was caught trying to reach home plate. Duck Alessandro Zoufal landed a hit in the fourth inning, which resulted in the third point for Austria a little later.
The Brits restored the old gap with their offense – 9:3 after four innings. Austria was now better in the game and put the Brits under pressure again in the fifth inning. Hoscher and Faulhaber made it to base. Zoufal hit the fourth run home through Hoscher. But Team Austria couldn’t do any real damage. Faulhaber and Zoufal were stranded on first and second base respectively. Again Great Britain countered the run with their offensive – 10:4. Neither team was able to score in the sixth inning. In the last inning, Faulhaber and Eoghan McGarry made it to base again. But it was no longer aimed at points.
The Brits won 10:4, remained undefeated and will play against the Netherlands tomorrow (10 a.m.) for group victory. At the end, Austria matches up with the Czechs to possibly have a more comfortable starting position for the cross games. As expected, Italy is in Group B in the semi-finals. France also made a big step with the 8:3 against Germany, now they “only” have to beat outsiders Belgium tomorrow.
The results
Group A: Netherlands – Czech Republic 2: 1,
Group B: Germany – France 3:8, Belgium – Italy 4:14.
Table after 2 of 3 matchdays: 1st Italy (1,000), 2nd France (0,500), 3rd Germany (0,500), 4th Belgium (0,000).
The 3rd game day
Thursday, 10 a.m.: Great Britain – Netherlands (Ducksfield Wiener Neustadt).
Thursday, 2.30 p.m.: Italy-Germany (Ducksfield Wiener Neustadt).
Thursday, 4 p.m.: France – Belgium (Batsfield Schwechat).
Thursday, 7.30 p.m.: Czech Republic – Austria (Ducksfield Wiener Neustadt).
2023-08-09 21:55:32
#Baseball #U23 #Austrians #semifinals #defeat #Great #Britain
