Although Great Britain’s final game in the U18 European Championships wasn’t the Gold Medal play off they had hoped for, it was still a rousing send off for a squad who had battled hard and shown some excellent skills in all aspects of the game over the preceding week. Beating Austria 14-5 meant revenge for the loss inflicted on them in the first game of the week and also reaffirmed that this is a team that can develop into something special in the future.
GB started slowly, conceding four runs in the first inning and another in the third, not taking the lead until the fourth. But throughout they were making solid contact – Ben Sclafani got a double in the second, and Kyle Griebenow a triple on the third.
The break out fourth came through plate discipline with a series of runners on base through singles and walks and was quickly followed by a clean defensive inning to put the GB team in a winning position they would never cede.
The fifth may have been a short inning, but it was dramatic. Singles for George Evans and Griff Franklin and a hit by pitch for Slane Maguire put three on, and Christian McCarthy brought them all in with a monster home run over the fence in left, over the bins behind the fence and almost crashing into a house 500 feet away from home plate. Three more runs in the latter innings padded the lead deservedly as the Austrians couldn’t come back.
Starting pitcher Charlie Battista claimed the win with four and two thirds innings, five runs (four earned), five strike outs and two walks. Ben Peters came in for another brilliant relief outing, getting a save for two and a third innings with no runs and 4 Ks.
On the offence, Luke Donaldson went 3 for 5, Griff Franklin 3 for 3 with a walk and Kyle Griebenow 4 for 5. But theirs were merely the standouts as every player contributed both at the plate and in the field.
Head Coach Matt Moran was proud of his team after the game:
“This group of young men have been an honour to support, they have embodied what it means to play for Great Britain Baseball.”
“We didn’t reach the heights of the goals we had, however we did ensure that future U18 teams can return to the European Championships. This will help create a legacy for Great Britain Baseball at the U18 level and create further opportunities in future.”
“I am extremely proud of this group and the work they have done to reach this level. They have pushed themselves to the limit, supported each other through thick and thin and have ensured that each of them have reached their own, personal goals.”
“We hope that over the next 2 years we can bring together a group that is ready to compete for the Gold Medal in 2028.”
Photo courtesy of WBSC