Here you find daily news about our Big League Team Germany, that is currently playing the Big League European Qualifier near Triest, Italy.
Day 2 - Germany 0 – 12 Netherlands
What could go wrong went wrong for Team Germany. Too many walks and key errors gave the Netherlands an easy win.
The first 2 ½ innings was even. A strike him out, throw him out double play ended the at bat for the Dutch in the first inning. Unfortunately, Germany couldn't score in the bottom half of the inning. The second inning also ended with no runs for either team.
The third started with a ground out to Short Stop Daniel Zeller, then all hell broke loose. The pitchers lost their control. That, combined with key errors, allowed Holland to score 8 (6 unearned) runs in the third inning to put the game out of reach.
Afterwards, the motivation for Team Germany was gone. Pitcher changes didn't help the situation. Two runs each in the fourth and fifth inning for the Netherlands ended the game via the mercy rule (12:0).
Day 3 - Italy 4 – 5 Germany
The game between Germany and Italy was the best game of the tournament. Germany tied the game at 4 in the top of the seventh to force extra innings. To start the 8th, a triple from Jason Metcalf, followed by singles from Daniel Zeller, Rufio Schulz, and Lucas Dickman gave Germany their first lead. Then the rains came, and the game was suspended.
Day 4 Italy 5 – 7 Germany
The continuation of the suspended game started with Germany at bat, bases loaded and 0 outs. But the motivation was lost and they could not continue where they ended the night before. Three straight strikeouts ended the at bat with no more runs.
Feeding off that momentum, Italy got runners on second and third with one out. A base hit to right field tied the game, but a strong throw from Junior Ventura to Catcher Jerome Dunford kept the winning run from scoring.
After a scoreless 9th inning, Germany again loaded the bases with one out. This time, a base hit from David Schmich scored the winning run, as Italy had no answer.
Day 4 Netherlands 6 – 0 Germany
Unfortunately, the Italy game cost Germany too much. Starting pitcher Lucas Dickman, who pitched the final three innings earlier in the day, ran out of gas and left the mound after 2 innings, with the score 1-0. The next two pitchers combined for 5 runs on 5 hits, 3 walks and 1 hit batter to put the game out of reach.
German had their chances, though, loading the bases on two occasions with less than 2 outs, but cound not put accross any runs.
Congratulations to the Netherlands and good luck in Easley, SC.
The Reds players participating at the tournament had a good showing.
Pitcher Andrew Buxkemper held with the ace of the team. He threw 4 innings and sported a 1.75 ERA, second only to Lucas Dickman.
Dennis Hudson started as catcher for the first three games before an injury forced him out. He ended the tournament with a .667 on base percentage, highest on the team.
Daniel Zeller had the second highest batting average (.438) and second highest slugging percentage (.563) on the team. Daniel also had the most hits in the tournament with 7 and most total bases with 9.