Game 2 review: GB U-12 defeat Slovakia
Great Britain progressed to the semi-finals of this year’s WBSC U-12 Baseball European Championship B Pool after a close, offensive battle with Slovakia, ending in a 13-10 win.
Photo by @Fodor_Kristóf
GB were up 2-0 after the top of the first thanks to Freddie Stokes continuing his great campaign at bat with a double to left centre, gaining two RBIs in the process.
Tristan Watts took the mound for GB in this clash and threw three shutout innings in a row to keep GB ahead.
In the bottom of the first, Watts gained two strikeouts before striking out another three batters in the bottom of the second only allowing one hit.
GB were able to capitalise on some fantastic defensive work in the top of the third when Ethan Farabaugh started the inning with a single to left field.
Photo by @Fodor_Kristóf
Ethan Watts and Oliver Jago helped carry the momentum throughout the inning by hitting their own singles before Tristan Watts doubled to left centre field, leading GB to a 5-run inning.
Britain were 7-0 up going into the fourth but were only able to add on one more run before Slovakia turned up the heat.
The Eastern European side gained three runs in the bottom of the fourth and then added another six in the bottom of the fifth.
Although Slovakia had started slow, they were forcing themselves onto the bases, and a triple to right field from Sebastian Szabo helped keep them in the game.
Going into the sixth and final inning, GB were up 11-9 and looking to see the game out.
The first two batters were struck out but then up stepped Tristan Watts again who doubled to deep left field, helping GB get 13 runs on the board.
Photo by @Fodor_Kristóf
Kingsmill-Norton was on the mound in the sixth to see out the win, starting perfectly by grounding out the first batter and striking out the second.
Slovakia tried to rally with Roman Collier and also Jäger both singling to left centre field, but it was not enough as Andrej Laco flew out to end the game.
Offensive Coordinator and Third Base Coach, Jamie Dix said: “The team relentlessly stuck with the process today and overcame some difficult hurdles to come out on top.
“I’m proud of how the team is working together to get the job done, and I’m excited for us to keep the ball rolling in the coming days.”
Great Britain defeated Slovakia by 13-10 and will advance to the semi-finals on July 4 where they take on Poland.
