The GB Under-13 Girls' Fastpitch Team is taking part for the third straight year in the ESF's Massimo Romeo Youth Cup in Collechio, Italy, and showed promise in two tough losses as the tournament began on Wednesday 13 August.
GB v USG Collechio
The team's opening game was played in sunshine, but required an early start, as it was the 9.00 am slot against USG Collecchio.
GB's pitching and catching team was Kristen Kohler and Caitlin Frank. Kristen started by throwing strikes, and though the first five batters scored for Collechio, Kristen got her first strikeout of the tournament in the first inning and also took a catch, sandwiched around Isabella Philp's catch at short stop.
There was a promising start for GB on offense, as the first two batters reached base in the bottom of the first inning. Michelle Shaw was hit by a pitch and Caitlin Nagy got a base on balls. Theo Longboy was next up to bat and GB runners were soon at second and third as Michelle stole two bases and Caitlin stole second. Theo then smashed a ground ball to left field, driving in Michelle and Caitlin and taking second on the throw. GB was on the scoreboard and the adrenaline was flowing.
Unfortunately the next three batters struck out and after that first inning outburst, GB didn't manage any further hits or runs, although a couple of walks put Sonia Eckstein and Kristen Kohler on base later in the game.
Collechio, on the other hand, scored enough runs over the next two innings – many of them coming through stolen bases – so that the game ended after three innings with a final score of 21- 2.
For some of the GB Under-13s, this was the first time they had come to a tournament like this and some have only been playing fastpitch softball for a few months.
GB v Moscovia Marino
GB's next game, on Wednesday afternoon, was against a strong team. Moscovia Marino had won the tournament a couple of years ago and were going to be a tough proposition, but the earlier game had not dampened the GB players' spirit or enthusiasm.
GB didn't score any runs in the game, but had a number of baserunners through hits or walks. Caitlin Nagy, Betsy Holden, Bella Mendes and Sonia Eckstein all got hits off of one of the fastest pitchers at the tournament.
The team also did well in the field, holding the Russians to two runs in the first inning with Caitlin Nagy in the circle. Caitlin was pitching for the first time in a major tournament, having only started pitching at the beginning of the year.
Michelle Shaw took two good catches in left field and Sonia Eckstein and Caitlin Nagy coped well with Russian bunts. The final score was 10-0 after four innings, but the score does not reflect how well GB played in the game.
Today (Thursday), the GB Under-13s were scheduled to have another 9.00 am start and another two tough games, playing Italy 2 and SC Moscovia.