It's begun convincingly enough for some of the favorites, with two 14-1 score lines in the books and a 15-2 for good measure. If runs are what you wanted, you've come to the right place. The old world is in a swinging mood.
Spain 14 - 1 Greece
A strong Spanish squad pounced on Greece early with seven runs in the first three frames and after a reprieve in the fourth, seven more in the fifth for the knockout blow. Spain got production from 1 through 9 but the 3 RBI each from Daniel Jimenez and Gabriel Lino stand out. Spanish pitching was largely clean in holding the Greeks to four hits. Kasey Caras did homer to give Greece something to cheer about.
Israel 14 - 1 Switzerland
The Israelis are looking to outgrow the underdog image of tournaments past, a point they hammered home to the Swiss early and often. The Hebrew Hammers in chief this eve of Yom Kippur were Assaf Lowengart and Rob Paller. (3 RBI each) Former Met Ty Kelly pitched in 2 runs and and RBI. Italy Spinoza and David Feins held the Swiss to a single run in a strong mound effort. Captain and new children's book author Ryan Lavarnaway pitched in a ribbie also. Joshua Crouse drew two walks and stole a base in a losing effort. Who by fire? Apparently Swiss pitching Leonard.
Croatia 11 - 1 Ukraine
Croatia made a statement in a mercy rule win over Ukraine. Jose Herrera Torrez went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and 5 TB. Kruno Gojkovic stole a base, went 4 for 5 and drove in two, providing a critical spark at the top of the order. Justin Olic rapped three singles in the win. Carlos Garcia Troncoso logged the first complete game of the tournament, going seven innings in the mercy rule win. Kostiantyn Chukhas had two hits and an RBI in an otherwise rough one for Ukraine.
Italy 15 - 2 Hungary
Italy started fast with four in the first and an eight spot in the fourth to put it away. They were aided and abetted by four Hungary fielding errors and twelve walks. With the benefit of a homer, Sebastiano Poma racked up 5 TB and 3 RBI. Nathanael Batista de Jesus walked three times and scored twice. Strong Italy pitching kept Hungary from ever putting up much of a fight offensively. Graeham Luttor was a bright light for Hungary, driving in two.
Germany 15 - 4 Belgium
Germany were emphatic in getting off to a fast start, with Nicklas Rimmel giving innings of one run ball and five players driving in multiple runs. Yannic Walther was particularly effective with 6 TB and 3 runs scored to add to 2 RBI. Both Walther and David Grimes homered in a mercy rule win featuring a nine run inning. Belgium put up some late runs but poor pitching did them in. Robin Roevens did go 2 for 3 with an RBI though. Germany will face Israel next in a match that likely decides top spot in group D.
Netherlands 9 - 0 France
The defending champs were largely quiet until a four run explosion in the fourth. They then proceeded to remind everyone why they often win this tournament. Seventeen innings after his WBC no-hitter, Sharon Martis can still win in international competition as he did today with three shutout frames. Sicnarf Loopstok homered, Ademar Riffaela drove in three and MLB veteran Roger Bernadina stole two bases, walked twice, drove in one and scored one. The French had no response to Dutch pitching.
Great Britain 4 - 0 Sweden
The closest game of day one is not so surprising. The Swedes have decent pitching but Team GB simply outlasted them. Austin Hassani pitched five shutout for the W and hot prospect Harry Ford drove in a run. British relief pitching was also spotless today. The Swedes got a good outing from Benjamin Johnson but not quite enough. Offensively, they mustered little. Team GB will look to follow up against Hungary to secure a spot in the last eight.
Czechia 9 - 0 Austria
The hosts proved up to the expectations generated by their WBC journey, seeing off the Austrians with relative ease. Three run innings in the second and fifth put the result beyond doubt. Former Blue Jay Eric Sogard went 3 for 5 and drove in two. Martin Cervenka and Matej Mensik hit nukes and Thomas Ondra went six shutout. Another WBC vet, Martin Muzik added a 3 for 4 line and a SB. Austria was simply outclassed in this one. The Czechs will look to all but seal a spot in the next round against Greece next.
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