After Sweden’s loss to the german national team last night, the team now has to accept a close defeat to Israel as well. The team of head coach Eric Holtz manages to turn the game around in the final half-inning after Sweden managed to get the lead during the game. Israel’s second win of the tournament started with an unspectacular first inning. The israeli team earns their first run in the second inning, the Swedish team takes until the fourth inning to get their first runner across home plate. Nicholas Filice is the first to hit the ball well, he ties the game in the fourth with a solo home run. The israeli Pitcher Eric Brodkowitz causes another run with three consecutive balks. In the further going neither of the teams manage to be productive until the seventh inning, when Daniel Johnsson scores after a sacrifice flyout. Niklas Melin, the Swedish reliever defends the lead until the ninth inning, when Jacob Syren took over on the mound. Syren, who was celebrating a home game, couldn’t achieve his goal as closing pitcher. Following the singles of Nick Rickles and Danny Valencia a throwing error, a walk and a wild pitch helped team Israel enough to bring the tie just seconds before the end. With runners on second and third base, the Swedish team decided to intentionally walk Robb Paller and therefore load the bases. A four-pitch walk then brings the win for the israelis. Even though the team Sweden showed some solid batting and defense it wasn’t quite enough for the team of manager Jim Sasko to achieve the first win of the tournament.
