Italy beat Czech Republic 7-1 in the friendly game
After three games against Netherlands, Czech national team moved back to the Czech Republic. They played the first of two duels against Italy on Thursday in YD Arena.
Both teams started their aces on the mound. Czechs with Martin Schneider, and Italians with Gabriele Quattriniho. The „firefighter from Olomouc“ had a better game, as he kept Italians scoreless for three innings and he didn’t allow any hits either. The start of San Marion couldn’t say the same, after Vojtěch Menšík beat him with a solo homerun in the third inning, which gave Czechs 1-0 lead.
Unfortunately the lead didn’t last long. Tomáš Ondra who came in for Schneider allowed 7 hits in a row in the fourth inning and the manages came to an agreement that the inning would finish after 25 pitches. Despite this Italy took 4-1 lead.
Lukáš Hlouch and Jake Rabinowitz didn’t allow any more runs in the following innings, but the same went for Italian pitchers, and so the score remained unchanged until the ninth inning.
However, Italians started the ninth inning with two solo homeruns against David Mergans and they increased their lead to 7-1. Czechs were unable to find a response and lost the first game against Italy.
Despite this, Czechs had a reason to celebrate. Their pitcher Ondřej Satoria announced the birth of his first child – son Oliver. The national team will have a chance to celebrate were they to win against Italy on Friday.
