Great Britain promoted to Pool A as they advance to European Final
Great Britain U12s achieved their goal of qualifying for next year’s A Pool after a close 2-0 win against Poland in the semi-finals of this year’s U12 European Championship B Pool.
Photo by Richárd Rózsa
The win also booked GB’s place in the final of this year’s tournament where they will face Spain, in Hungary, on Saturday.
Not only did Great Britain advance to the final, but they did it in excellent fashion, throwing a combined no hitter through six innings.
Ethan Farabaugh took the mound for GB after an impressive outing in the opening win against Romania.
The young star went three and out by striking out the top of Poland’s batting order and grabbed another three strikeouts in the top of the second inning.
In the bottom of the second, Ethan Watts grabbed GB’s first hit of the game with a double to left centre field but it was not enough to add on any runs going into the third inning.
In the top of the third, Farabaugh made it nine strikeouts for the day, with each batter going down looking.
Britain were finally able to break the deadlock in the bottom of the third with back to back singles from Farabaugh and Ames Kaiser before Torin Kingsmill-Norton singled to right field, helping GB get two runs on the board.
Photo by Richárd Rózsa
Farabaugh stayed dominant, keeping GB ahead in the top of the fourth and fifth innings by shutting out the Polish offence and adding on another four strikeouts.
Going into the top of the sixth and final inning, GB remained 2-0 up and Farabaugh shut down the first two batters, striking them out and bringing Farabaugh’s total for game up to 15 for the game.
Kingsmill-Norton then came in to close out the game, just needing one more out to take Great Britain through to the final.
And they did exactly that, as Wiktor Tur flew out to an emotional Ethan Farabaugh at first base, confirming GB’s place in the final and finishing off the combined no hitter.
Laura Hirai, the Pitching Coach for the U12’s said: “The game plan for each game has been to throw strikes and attack the zone. Nothing more, nothing less.
“This game epitomised the success one earns when they stick to this process. Ethan nearly had a complete game, striking out almost every batter. It was relentless.
“Then Torin came into the game in a pressurised moment to close out the game, combining for a no-hitter.
“It was an honour to watch them perform the way they did, despite the Polish horns attempting to distract them.
“I hope it’s an experience that they and this team will never forget, because I will always remember it as one of the best pitching performances in GB colours.”
Photo by Richárd Rózsa
Great Britain U12s head coach, Chris Ward applauded the “huge” win that saw GB advance to the final of the tournament.
He said: “This team and this coaching staff have been relentless in the development and execution of our plans.
“We will take our approach onto the field for our final game and my hope is that the players will take it with them for the rest of their lives.”
Great Britain will take on Spain in the final of the 2025 European Championship on July 5 at 16:00 in Jánossomorja.
