DOU-LIOU STADIUM. Italy got its first victory defeating Australia 7-4 on the morning of the third day of competition at the XXVI 18U Baseball World Cup, facing the aussie tying comeback in the middle of the game, then taking advantage of a wild fifth of the team from Down Under (that committed six errors in the game), while Gradali delivered solid pitching and Anselmi guaranteed the save.
The Azzurri went immediately on the scoreboard with three runs produced by four hits (a double from the leadoff Gasparini) in the bottom of the first, and the Australians tied the game in the fourth, out of two consecutive triples, from Bullingham and Shepherd and three singles.
The fifth was the crucial inning, with the Europeans capable of scoring twice with no hits, but a gift of three errors from the aussie defense.
The Italian reliever Davide Anselmi allowed three walks in a row in the seventh, and Australia could make it a 1-run game, but a 2 RBI double by Lo Giudice, who had just entered the game, granted Italy a 7-4 lead, that is also the final score of the game.
Australian shortstop Zachary Shepherd went 4 for 4, with 1 RBI, but also 2 errors, Lorenzo Gradali was the winning pitcher, allowing 2 ER, 9 hits, 2 walks and strucking out 9 in 6 inning, while Davide Anselmi granted himself the save with 1 ER, 2 H, 3 BB and 1 SO in 3.0.
Both teams will take the field again today, Australia (2-1) in Taichung Stadium against Korea (1-2) and Italy (1-2) waits in Dou-Liou Colombia, still with no victories in the tournament.
