The Under 12 national team returned to Israel last week the winners of two championships in the Tuscany Series European Championships – unprecedented in Israel baseball.
The first tournament was played in Florence and then a week later, the team successfully defended its title in Arezzo. Only five players returned from the previous year’s national team, making this a very young group that was facing some of the strongest teams in Italy. Adding to the challenge was that the team would have to play 12 games over 12 days, sometimes playing double and even triple headers.
Even more impressive was the way Israel won. Usually known for strong defense, the Team Israel bats erupted. Over the 12 games, Israel scored 116 runs, had 111 hits, 30 extra base hits, and recorded a team batting average of .442. Leading the way was Kai Friesem who went 16 for 23 over both tournaments with 10 extra base hits. Every Israeli player recorded at least three hits.
The defense was also strong, with few errors, while turning 4 double plays, and making numerous fine plays in the field. Israel used 10 different pitchers, allowing 48 runs while striking out 74 batters. Aviad Schechter led the way pitching 12 strong innings, giving up only six hits, five walks, and striking out 16. Matan Glick and Eliezer Kupietzky combined to throw out five runners attempting to steal bases.
The Florence Championship
In the first tournament in Florence, Israel opened the tournament against a young Antella team. Antella was overwhelmed as Israel scored the maximum 4 runs per inning every time up, and cruised to a 20-1 victory. Next up was the local Junior Firenze team. The Israeli bats again were present as we won 8-3. Facing last year’s champions Arezzo, Aviad Schechter kept the Arezzo bats in check, and Israel got a well-deserved 6-3 victory. In the last game of the day, Israel hoped to relax against a weaker Ravenna team. That was not to be the case, as the opportunistic Italians jumped out to a 9-2 lead. Israel fought back, but was unable to score the tying run from 2nd and lost 9-8.
Having guaranteed itself the 2nd place and a spot in the final, Israel relaxed for its game against Chianti. Taking a 5-3 lead into the last inning, Israel couldn’t close the game, walking in the winning run, and took a 6-5 loss. Facing Ravenna in the final Kai Friesem gave a strong pitching performance. Timely hitting from Kai, Golan Ravid, Jacob Goodman and Michi Segal saw Israel jump to a 9-3 lead. Ravenna would make a made attempt to get back into the game, but their rally fell short, with Israel winning 9-7, and taking the championship.
Kai received the award for tournament MVP, and Golan won best hitter, going 4 for five with four walks.
Second Time Round in Arezzo
A week later in Arezzo, Israel began its second title run against Arezzo. Israel rocked Arezzo's top pitcher while Aviad stymied the Arezzo bats. Israel easily won 9-1.
Friday morning, facing top ranked Padule, Israel again relied on the strong right arm of Kai. Despite Kai's strong performance, Israel needed an incredible double play to achieve victory. A hard hit ground ball was cleanly fielded by Aviad at short, who flipped the ball to Rohm Ben Ami who bare-handed the flip and made a perfect throw to first. There was a fine defensive play from Jake Goodman, who make a fine diving catch on a line drive in center. Facing one of the top pitchers in Italy, Israel had big hits from Kai, Michi, and Adrian Klaits, and pulled out a tough 5-2 victory.
Next up was unknown Sanremo. Israel jumped ahead early. We saw the future as 10-year-old Theo Freisen and Rohm Ben Ami made their National Team pitching debuts, pitching three scoreless innings. Despite giving up a late grand slam to end the game, Israel cruised to a 15-4 victory. Sunday morning Israel faced Junior Firenze in the semi-finals for home field in the final. Firenze quickly jumped out to a 3-2 lead. Israel kept its cool and counter-attacked with hits from Kai, Adrian, Michi, Matan, Yedidya Saffer (who homered to give Israel the lead). Then Rohm Israel pulled ahead. With Firenze trying to get back in the game and threatening with runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs, Israel turned an unorthodox but vital double play. Aviad fielded a hard hit ball at 2nd. Instead of throwing to 2nd Aviad alertly realized he could get the lead runner and threw to 3rd baseman Ari Fendel who threw back to short stop Kai to complete the 4-5-6 double play.
Having clinched 1st, Israel looked to maintain momentum against a young Montefiascone team. The young team had trouble throwing strikes, and the Israeli bats remained hot. Noam Namer kept the Montefiscone bats in check. Israel got big hits from Namer, Noah Cohen, Tomer Erel and Eitan Ho and won 11-2.
Hungry for their second title, Israel jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Junior Firenze in the first thanks to a huge triple from Kai. In the top of the 2nd control issues and timely hitting saw Fireneze jump ahead 3-2. In the 3rd with runners on 2nd and 3rd and two outs, Firenze elected to walk Kai to load the bases. Michi lined a two run single into right and Israel never looked back. In the end the Israeli bats were too much for Firenze, and Aviad and Kai shut down the Firenze bats. Team Israel won 11-3.
Kai was awarded best hitter in the tournament going 11/14 with 7 extra base hits. Aviad Schechter was awarded tournament MVP, pitching seven innings, with a 1.71 ERA, giving up only 2 hits, 2 walks, while striking out 7.
Off the field, the team enjoyed a game of laser tag, obstacle courses, swimming, and, when they needed more baseball, participated in a friendly game with Arezzo, playing together in mixed teams.
It was an impressive showing for such a young team, who will have 8 of its players eligible to return next year.
Congratulation to all the players, Head Coach Louie Miller, Assistant Coach Jake Miller and Manager Yaron Erel for an outstanding tournament that will be written up in the Israel Baseball history book.
