GB’s Under 18s fell to a disappointing loss in their opening game of the 2026 European Championship against Austria in Trieste. They went behind in the bottom of the first and couldn’t pull the tie back, losing 14-4 over five innings.
“This wasn’t the way we wanted to start the tournament,” said GB Head Coach Matt Moran. “But we will bounce back tomorrow and concentrate on building momentum for the rest of the week.”
GB scored a run in the top of the first via a Christian McCarthy single and stolen base, a wild pitch and George Evans’ RBI, but couldn’t build on an excellent start. Ben Sclafani conceded four runs in the bottom half of the frame and another in the second.
One of the highlights of the day was a double play to end the second when catcher Kyle Griebenow completed a dropped third strike out with a throw down to first baseman Luke Donaldson only to see the ball fly straight back to him to apply the tag on Austrian Pitcher Louis Patrick who was attempting to score.
Austria broke the game wide open in the third, scoring eight runs off Sclafani and relievers Jacob Henry and Harry Craig.
The Brits mounted a comeback in the fourth, scoring three via a Griff Franklin RBI, Charlie Battista’s steal of home and a throwing error, but the effort fell short and Austria scored another in the bottom half of the inning. When GB failed to add to their run tally in the fifth, the game came to an end.
Today GB face Israel, ranked just one place below them in the world in Ronchi with first pitch scheduled for 1.30 BST. The Israel team lost 11-0 to hosts Italy in the opener. You can watch all the games in the tournament via baseballeurope.tv
Photo courtesy of WBSC Europe