Great Britain fell to eventual champions Italy in today’s semi-final at the Blind Baseball International Cup.
GB took a 3-2 lead into the fourth of five innings, with both Steven Smith and Matt Cliff helping Grant Malabar and Nomaan Iqbal score runs.
Italy, a side that has only ever suffered one defeat, took command in the bottom of the fourth, plating five runs. GB were unable to respond in the fifth, while Italy added a further four runs to secure their place in the final.
“A tough loss against an Italian team that has only lost one game in their history,” said assistant head coach Ian J Marginson. “We knew it would be hard, but every player on the field gave it their all and can be proud of giving the Italians a scare.”
Italy went on to face Cuba in the final, winning the tournament on home soil 10-4.
Prior to the final, GB faced Chinese Taipei for the bronze medal. The British side took a one-run lead in the first inning and never relinquished it over six innings.
Steven Smith homered during a five-run third inning to give GB a 7-1 lead. Chinese Taipei added a run in the fourth, but a further two unanswered runs in the sixth ensured a bronze medal for Great Britain.