12 July 2003

Italy 7, Great Britain 5

CarterIn their second game of the 2003 European Championships, Great Britain nearly shocked the favourites, Italy, at the Neptunus Family Stadium in Rotterdam on 12 July.

Having rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth inning, Great Britain trailed Italy, 7-5. The game ended with two British runners in scoring position and the winning run at the plate.

Buccaneers pitcher Nick Carter started the game for Britain. Carter pitched will, gaving up three earned runs, five hits and two walks in six innings of work. Great Britain could only muster two hits against Italian starter William Lucena. But late in the game, Great Britain scored five runs — including one scored by Alex Malihoudis — against the Italian bullpen. Box Score »

In other games played in Group 2 on 11 July, Spain beat Russia, 5-4 in 10 innings, and Greece pounded Germany, 11-0, in a game that ended after seven innings. In Group 1, the Netherlands beat the Czech Republic, 6-0; France beat Belgium, 9-1, and Croatia beat Sweden, 6-4, in 11 innings.

Great Britain face Spain on 13 July in Rotterdam.