Czech Republic – Netherlands 4-10
NED 035 000 020 10 14 2 CZE 002 001 100 4 9 4
The Netherlands has won the European Junior Championship, which was held in Gijon, Spain from July 4 to 10. The Dutch team defeated the Czech Republic 10-4 in the final game on Sunday. Italy finished in third place thanks to a 5-0 shutout over Germany in the bronze medal game. Netherlands, Czech Republic and Italy qualified for the 2012 IBAF 18U Baseball World Championship in Seoul, Korea.
The Dutch team took the lead with three runs in the second on Sunday, scored five more in the third and two in the eighth to seal the deal. The Czech team was able to get on the board, but four runs were not good enough to bring the favorite down. R. Engelhardt hit a homerun. B. Cornelissen went 4-for-6 with two doubles and two RBI. A. Hajtmar scored twice for the Czech team.
The tournament’s best pitcher I. Delmarre (W, 2-0) got the start for the Netherlands and issued seven hits, three runs and two walks in six innings. I. Novak (L, 0-1) surrendered seven hits, six runs (4 ER) and three bb in 2 2/3 innings. 372 fans attended the championship game.
Results Day 7:
Sunday, July 10:
Consolation Games:
France – Ukraine 9-8 (10)
Lithuania – Belgium 0-15 (6)
Third Place Game:
Germany – Italy 0-5
Final:
Czech Republic – Netherlands 4-10
Individual Awards:
Best Batter: Dovydas Neverauskas (Lithuania)
Best Pitcher: Ian Delmarre (Netherlands)
Most Valuable Player: Stijn Van der Meer (Netherlands)
Final Standings:
1. Netherlands
2. Czech Republic
3. Italy
4. Germany
5. Spain
6. Russia
7. Belgium
8. Ukraine
9. France
10. Lithuania