By Ian Tomlin
Prague, Czech Republic: 24 July – The GB Under-19 Men’s Fastpitch Team had a tough start to the European Junior Men’s Championship, losing both of their opening games on Day One of the competition.
Losses to the Czech Republic by 16-0 in four innings and to Israel by 11-4 in five innings leaves GB at the bottom of the five-team group along with Croatia, who also lost both their games today.
There were some encouraging signs for GB, as the pitchers were throwing strikes and the bats seemed to work on occasions. But too many errors cost the side dearly.
GB v Czech Republic​
GB started brightly and the defense contained the talented Czech team for two innings, only allowing three runs.
However, the pitching of Vojtech Kriva stifled the GB offense, as he struck out seven of GB’s first 10 batters. Kriva pitched the first three innings and Vojtech Buchner closed out the game in the fourth, and between them they threw a no-hitter.
GB’s only baserunner in the game was George Young, who walked twice.
Sam Grafton pitched all four innings for GB, and once the Czechs got his measure, the hits started to come. Sam gave up 15 hits in all but only four walks, and only seven of the 16 runs scored against him were earned.
The game got away from GB in the top of the third inning as the Czechs ran in six runs, including a grand slam home run by third baseman Petr Kruntorad.
But six errors, mainly in the infield, helped make the Czechs’ run total larger than it otherwise would have been.
So with a few lessons learned, the players dusted themselves down for the second mission of the day against a very useful Israeli team. GB and Israel have met on many occasions and there is a very special bond between the two teams.
GB v Israel
The game didn’t start well, and GB were down by five runs after the bottom of the first inning as Israel batted through their order. Two walks and a home run from Israeli pitcher David Zashin registered the first three runs and two further walks and two base hits brought the Israeli total up to five.
GB struggled to respond and a single by Oliver Howley in the top of the second inning was all they could offer in return. This game was again riddled with GB errors and the Israeli side put up a further two runs in the bottom of the second inning on a second home run by David Zashin.
In the top of the third inning GB showed some mettle and for a few minutes a comeback looked on as Jack Nielan drew a walk and consecutive two-base hits from Tom Russell, George Young and Jake Roberts put three runs on the scoreboard.
However, with only one out and more runs looking likely, an attempted bunt which was well taken by the Israeli pitcher caught the runners off base and a double play closed out the inning.
Israel piled on the agony with four runs in the bottom of the third inning, until a spectacular triple play that started with a line drive to shortstop Tom Russell thankfully ended the scoring and the frame with Israel ahead 11-3.
A final GB run in the top of the fifth inning – not enough to avert the mercy rule – came on Tom Russell’s triple and a sacrifice fly by Jake Roberts.
GB Head Coach Chris Yoxall was disappointed that the team came away without a win on the first day, but was encouraged by instances of good play.
On Tuesday, GB will take on Croatia at 10.00 am Czech time (9.00 am in the UK) and Denmark at 4.30 pm (3.30 in the UK).
The games are being streamed live at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KI8w78ETT9g./m.
Scores
Scores on Day One at the European Junior Men's Championship were:
Israel 10, Croatia 8
Czech Republic 16, GB 0
Denmark 14, Croatia 0
Israel 11, GB 4
Czech Republic 4, Denmark 0
The teams will play a double round-robin over the first four days, with playoffs on Friday and Saturday.
