Parma 1949 (Italian Serie A Gold) defeated the Oosterhout Twins (Dutch Hoofdklasse) to clinch first place and a spot in September’s Final Four of the Baseball Champions League Europe. Draci Brno (Czech Extra Liga) came from behind to shock the hosts Guggenberger Legionaere (German Bundesliga) and will face the Twins on Sunday, May 24, for the second spot awarded in the Regensburg Group.
Parma-Oosterhout 6-2
Former Major League Baseball (MLB) slugger Robel Garcia gave Parma a lead they wouldn’t surrender. Former Minor League Matteo Bocchi gave his team six solid innings, and World Baseball Classic alum Claudio Scotti took care of the final three.
We played a good baseball game,” commented Matteo Bocchi postgame. “It was pretty close until the very last few innings. But I think we attacked the zone well and they had to earn every hit.”
“I am feeling very good, because the team is doing well. It’s good work, and this is awesome,” shortstop Gabriele Angioi said following the game. At the European Championship, the Netherlands beat Italy. Now we beat them. It’s a good rivalry.”
Brno-Regensburg 11-7
Draci Brno came from behind to defeat and eliminate the Guggenberger Legionaere and stay in the race for a spot in the Final Four.
Starter Ryuto Konno allowed Regensburg four runs in the top of the first, but Draci immediately got to the home starter Aliangel Lopez, making it a one-run game. The Czechs tied the game in the bottom of the second and took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Reliever Quentin Moulin pitched 3.2 innings for the win.
“We came right back and scored one run after another. Even when we were down, we stuck to our game plan. Of course, I would have liked our starter to go a bit longer. It was a good fight.” Brno’s manager Hynek Capka commented.
The game between Draci Brno and Oosterhout Twins at 11:00 (local time) at the Armin Wolf Arena will send the winner from the Regensburg Group to the Final Four.
Brno will hand the ball to right-hander Filip Čapka, while Oosterhout chose right-hander Misja Harcksen.
The Guggenberger Legionaere will face Parma at 15:30 (local time) and will hand the ball to right-hander Matteo Marelli. Parma will send to the mound left-hander and WBSC Premier12 alum Naykel Cruz.
All BCL Europe games are available to watch on GameTime. Streaming is also available on the WBSC YouTube channel in certain regions.