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AgenPress. Italy closes the under 23 European Championship in fifth place thanks to an exciting victory (11-7) at the expense of the Czech Republic with a walk-off grand slam by Samuele Gamberini in the tie-break of the final played in Schwechat. Alberto D’Auria’s boys were able to recover the four runs with which they faced the Czech pitchers in the bottom of the eighth inning.
It was the epilogue of an excellent match between the great disappointments of the continental event in Austria, who challenged each other with quality pitchers and a lot of determination. The Azzurri scored three home runs which allowed them to take the lead twice and at the tie-break to resolve the game in the most beautiful way.
Italy takes the lead in the first attack: Angioi takes the base Ball, goes to third on Giarola’s hit and runs home on a wild pitch. Morresi’s hit forces Halper (6bv-3bb in 3-1) to concede the 2-0. The third blue point is scored, in the 3rd, by Morresi, author of a double and in third on Gamberini’s rebound, on Annunziata’s sacrifice sprint.
In the upper part of the quarter, Austria shortened the gap. Virgadaula fills the cushions with two bases and one valid. The four balls to Riedmann allow the home team to score the first point with Stemmer. The second, by McGarry, arrives on the Italian defensive double on Furbock’s serve.
In the lower part of the inning, Alberto D’Auria’s boys take off again by knocking three times: Oldano receives the base and scores on Battioni’s single and on the left fielder’s error; Giarola’s single to third base scores the captain; Giarola himself signs the 6-3 on Gamberini’s serve.
In the eighth the Czech Republic deludes themselves that they have closed the match, scoring four points: with Ricny placed in second position, Propok hits a single, while Blazek is hit. Winkler gets caught on the line, but Bubenik hits a double left that brings home two runners. Two more points arrive on the singles of Slaby and Pospisil, interspersed by the intentional of Artitzu to Krejclrik. At the change of field, the big blue heart emerges: Oldano’s double pushes Monti home (placed in second by regulation) and Cinelli’s sacrifice sprint, which is worth 7-5. Bruno’s double advances Oldano to third.
A crazy strike out-throw brings Battioni home, Giarola’s bunt on the pitcher makes it 7-7. The Czechs try to force the game and fill the bases, but Samuele Gamberini (2/4, 5pbc), on Blazek’s second throw at half height, sends the ball very far for a grand slam that gives a beautiful victory and makes it less bitter the slide with Germany, which cost the elimination from the semifinals.
In the photo the arrival at home of Samuele Gamberini after the grand slam (WBSC Europe)
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2023-08-12 13:44:08
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