Photo: Dfotografie
Great Britain's U15 Women opened the European Championships on Monday, 27 July with a 14-2 win over France before dropping a 13-2 decision to the Netherlands. By virtue of playing a doubleheader on the tournament's opening day, GBR will now have a day off as they await the final standings of Group D, and their onward schedule.
In game one, Great Britain jumped out to an early lead against France, with Brynlee Armstrong scoring on an RBI single by Amelia Cloke in the top of the first. France would score twice in the home half of the inning, and would maintain their lead until the third, when the Great Britain offence exploded, scoring thirteen runs across the third and fourth innings. Ryo Lord would start the scoring in the third, coming home on a wild pitch, with Nola Auzenne scoring on a error and Armstrong coming home on Natalie Gordon's RBI single. Cloke then scored on Madison Lott's RBI single, and Finley Hamrick would scamper home on a wild pitch. With all the runs talled, Great Britain led 7-2 after three.
In the circle, Armstrong put together a strong performance, scattering eight strikeouts across four frames, and allowing just one earned run, with Great Britian's offence shortening her outing by way of a seven-run outburst in the fourth to reach the run-rule victory. Gordon scored on an error by France with the bases loaded, followed by four consecutive walks to score runs by the French pitching staff - with Carmen Arrevillagas and Auzenne scoring on wild pitches. Gordon then singled home courtesy runner Auzenne in her second at-bat of the inning to score the final run of the inning for GBR. France were unable to narrow the deficit to 10 in the bottom of the fourth, ending the game by run rule.
In the second contest of the day, Natalie Gordon got the start for GBR and worked two scoreless frames before The Netherlands were able to break through, scoring four runs in the fourth third and one in the fourth. Great Britain's offense, meanwhile, cut the deficit to two in the bottom of the third, with Gordon providing the big hit herself - an RBI single that scored Darcy Howard and allowed Auzenne to come home on an error. The Netherlands, however, would explode for eigh runs in the 6th inning, and ended the game early via run rule.
With two games on the opening day of the contest, Great Britain now finds themselves with an off day as they await the result of the France-Netherlands game today, which will determine their path forward. If Great Britain is the 1 seed - possible with France beating the Netherlands - they will advance to the Super Round on Wednesday; if the Netherlands are victorious, Great Britain will play for placement as the 3rd seed.
All European Championship games can be viewed at baseballeurope.tv.
Follow the Great Britain Women’s Junior Teams, including the U15, on social media @GBSoftballU18 on X and Instagram, at facebook.com/gbsoftballu18, and on the British Softball Federation website, britishsoftball.org.