Czech women’s national team started the European Championship on Thursday. Their opponent was the Netherlands, who finished third at the previous WEC.
Czechs started Silvia Hanzalová on the mound and she started very well when she struck out 2 batters in the first inning and kept the Netherlands scoreless. Czechs batters started much better, when the first three of them reached the bases and the national team had a huge chance to get the lead. Hanzalová then hit a base clearing triple sending Czechs to a 3-0 lead.
She then continued on the mound in the second innings, striking out the side and giving her team a chance to mount up more pressure. Czechs scored two more runs after hits from Peerová and Stejspalová. An inning later it was Miluše Šprdlíková who’s hit gave the home team 7-0 lead.
The fourth inning continued with the same momentum. Hanzalová added 3 strikouts and Czechs added another run in the bottom half of the inning, after a defensive error.
Czech coaches substituted pitching before the fifth inning, sending in Marie Bullen. Hanzalová finished the game with impressive numbers – 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9K. The new pitcher seemed to suit Netherlands more, as they were able to score their first run and change the score to 1-8. When the bases got loaded, Czechs substituted the pitching again and Izabela Tomši closed the inning.
Czechs knew that if they were to score 3 games, the game will finish on mercy rule. The first two of them came after hits from Tomši and Kateřina Marková. This forced Netherlands to substitute their pitching and try to halt the offense. However, Stejspalová managed to get a sacrificial hit and help walk off the game, with Czechs wrapping up at 11-1.
Czech national team coach Richard Kania saw their first game of the tournament with elation, but he was aware of the issues his team head. „I think the girls played well, nevertheless there were still some errors, mainly in baserunning, which can cost us in the close games,“ said Kania right after the game. „But basically, baseball is played for runs, and we scored 11 of them, so we are satisfied,“ he added with a smile.
He already thought ahead and confirmed a change in the lineup on the key pitcher position. „Naturally, Silvia Hanzalová won’t start, but we have others ready. We will talk about it now, but it’s very likely Terka Stejspalová will start,“ he revealed the plans. „If she plays as well as Silva, we have nothing to worry about,“ closed Kania with the confidence in his team.
Czechs entered the tournament in the best way possible. Now they will need to focus on the next game they will play against the Great Britain, who beat France 16-1 in 5 innings.
