by Julie Spittle
Collecchio, Italy -- The London Cubs, the GB Under-13 Team playing at the ESF Massimo Romeo Cup in Collecchio, Italy, finished the tournament on 16 August without a win but with some excellent performances to improve on going forward.
Day 3: GB v Slovakia
GB started well against Slovakia on Friday 15 August, with Michelle Shaw, Caitlin Nagy and Rosie Esiri all getting on base with hits and then scoring in the first inning. In this game, every GB player made contact off the Slovakian pitcher and Lily Ferragamo scored a fourth run as GB almost batted round the order.
The Cubs scored three more runs in the second inning, as Caitlin Nagy, Rosie Esiri and Theo Longboy crossed the plate, and Natalie Vann also got a hit but was left stranded.
GB's last run came in the third inning when Marlia Van't Sant reached base and came around to score on hits by Bella Mendes, Kristen Kohler and Michelle Shaw. Unfortunately, Bella was tagged out at home plate, and GB failed to score in the fourth inning.
While all this GB offense was going on, however, the Slovakians were scoring even more.
GB held a 4-3 lead after the first inning, thanks to a throw from Theo Longboy in left field to cut down a Slovakian runner at third. The game was tied at 7-7 after the second inning.
But the Slovakians piled it on after that, with nine runs in the third inning and another five in the fourth.
The final score was 21-8 to Slovakia, but the score did not reflect how well GB played.
Day 3: GB v Italy 1
The evening game on Day 3 was against Italy 1 and GB knew this was going to be a tough game.
The Cubs were unable to score any runs and the game was called after two innings when Italy's total reached 15.
That was the end of the round-robin games and the placings determined the match-ups on the final day of the tournament.
Day 4: GB v SC Moscovia
The GB Under-13s had finished seventh after the round robin and were scheduled to play SC Moscovia and then Collecchio in back-to-back games on Saturday morning.
The Cubs were the away side against Moscovia and failed to score any runs in the first inning. Moscovia then batted almost around their order and scored four runs before the third out came on a tag at second base by Marlia Van't Sant as the Russian batter tried to steal after a walk.
GB managed to get on the board in the second inning, scoring four runs. Sonia Eckstein and Jorgia Patteson both got on base with grounders towards third and Betsy Holden reached on a walk. Theo Longboy and Kristen Kohler struck out, but Michelle Shaw was next up to bat and smashed the ball to right field, driving in the girls on base and getting to third on a triple. Michelle then scored on a passed ball.
Moscovia continued to score over the next three innings, however, with three runs in the second, 10 in the third and one in the fourth. On defense, Rosie Esiri made a great catch on a fly ball to right field, Kristen Kohler struck out three Russian batters and Sonia Eckstein made a fine play and a good throw on a ground ball to third, but it was hard to stem the Russian tide.
The Cubs batted round the order in the third inning and scored seven runs, but failed to score in the fourth and the final score was 18-11 to Moscovia SC.
Day 4: GB v Collecchio
The Cubs were straight back on the field against the host team Collecchio for their last game of the tournament.
GB was the home team and after the first inning had a 4-3 lead. Neither team scored in the second inning, but Collecchio then scored three runs in the third inning and seven runs in the fourth. GB was unable to reply and the final score was 13-4 to Collecchio.
The GB Team played extremely well on the last day of play. They were hitting well, running the bases and stealing, and the team was constantly upbeat, cheering and singing.
The Cubs may not have won any games, but they had some close ones and scored in all but two games.
The GB Under-13s scored 34 runs over the course of the tournament and everyone had a great time.
