Collecchio, Italy: 13 August -- The London Cubs Under-13 Girls’ Fastpitch Team completed their round-robin games on Thursday at the ESF’s Massimo Romeo Youth Trophy competition with two more losses, 18-0 to the Russian team Moscovia and 16-1 against Italy 2 -- two of the best teams in the tournament.
Having lost all four round-robin games, the Cubs will finish at the bottom of Group B and will go into a second round-robin to be played on Friday and Saturday, involving the bottom three teams in Groups A and B, which will determine places 5-10 in the tournament.
The top two teams from each group will also play a second round-robin on Friday and will then go on to a Page Playoff on Saturday to determine the top four places.
London Cubs v Moscovia
The London Cubs turned out bright and early on Thursday morning to play the Russian team Moscovia, who are leading Group B, at 9.00 am local time.
Eliza Esiri pitched the complete game for Cubs, allowing 11 hits, but only five walks as well as three hit batters. However, wild pitches and passed balls have also played a part in allowing the Cubs’ opponents to score more freely, and they were a factor again in this game.
The Russians scored four runs in the top of the first inning, eight in the second inning (despite Eliza Esiri making a fine catch on a line drive his back at her) and six more in the third to finish 18-0 winners.
The Cubs had a promising start in the bottom of the first inning when Eliza Esiri reached base on an infield single and, with one out, Ellen Jacobson drew a walk from the Moscovia starting pitcher, Maria Chernioglo. But Josephine Morley and Campbell Lazar struck out to end the threat.
The only other hit for the Cubs came in the top of the second inning when Rosie Esiri singled to right centre field, but she was then cut down trying to steal second base.
London Cubs v Italy 2
This game started after lunch, in the hottest part of the day, but as they had against Gepardy Zory on Wednesday, the Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Eliza Esiri led off with a walk against Italy’s starting pitcher Alessia Brandi, then stole second base and carried on to third on a bad throw by Italian catcher Sara de Luca. A moment later Eliza scored on a groundout to second by Kristen Kohler. Rosie Esiri then tried to prolong the rally with a single to right field, but this time, when she tried to steal second, Sara de Luca’s throw was there ahead of her.
Michelle Shaw started for the Cubs in her first game as a pitcher, and recorded three strikeouts, but had a tough bottom of the first inning in which the Italians scored seven runs on three hits and six walks, though there were no Cubs’ errors.
Italy went on to score just three more runs in the second inning off the pitching of Kristen Kohler, but then scored six runs in the third to run out 16-1 winners.
The Cubs did have more baserunners in the game, but no more hits.
In the top of the second inning, Michelle Shaw walked and stole both second and third, but was left stranded when Annabelle Erlandson struck out to end the inning.
In the top of the third inning, Eliza Esiri reached base on an error and Rosie Esiri walked, but there was no further advance.
London Cubs Manager Julie Spittle said, "The score doesn't reflect how well the girls played in this game. They are definitely improving as the tournament moves on."
Tournament format
Ten teams are contesting the 2015 Massimo Romeo Youth Trophy, and the first two days have consisted of pool play in two round-robin groups of five teams each.
The London Cubs are in Group B along with Italy 2, the Czech Stars, Gepardy Zory from Poland and Moscovis from Russia.
Group A consists of Italy 1, GBU SD42 Moscomsport and Moscovia Marina from Russia, Akademiks from Bulgaria and Joudrs Prague from the Czech Republic.
Standings
Current standings in the two groups, with some games remaining to be played on Thursday, are:
GROUP A
Italy 1 (3-0)
GBU SD42 Moscomsport (2-1)
Moscovia Marino (2-1)
Joudrs Prague (1-2)
Akademiks (0-4)
GROUP B
Moscovia (3-0)
Czech Stars (2-1)
Italy 2 (2-1)
Gepardy Zory (1-2)
London Cubs (0-4)
Results
Results so far from round-robin play are below, with the latest results shown first:
Thursday 13 August
GROUP A
Moscovia Marino 24, Akademiks 5
GBU SD42 Moscomsport 12, Joudrs Prague 3
Italy1 16, Akademiks 1
GROUP B
Moscovia 18, London Cubs 0
Czech Stars 16, Gepardy Zory 6
Italy2 16, London Cubs 1
Wednesday 12 August
GROUP A
Moscovia Marina 13, Joudrs Prague 11
GBU SD42 Moscomsport 27, Akademiks 0
Italy1 10, Muscovia Marina 3
Joudrs Prague 13, Akademiks 2
GROUP B
Moscovia 16, Gepardy Zory 1
Czech Stars 21, London Cubs 0
Muscovia 5, Italy2 0
Gepardy Zory 16, London Cubs 4
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