Jaklova´s walk-off double gives Czechs dramatic win over Italy

In a thrilling wrap-up of Wednesday´s action, the host Czech Republic beat Italy 4-3 on a walk-off double by Lenka Jaklova that scored Lucie Petraskova from first base with two out in the bottom of the seventh before a delirious crowd under the lights at Svoboda Park. The win gives the Czechs a 1-0 record in the second round, while Italy drops to 1-1.

After cruising through the first round without giving up a run, both the Czech Republic and Italy knew things would get tougher in the second round, and eyed each other as their toughest opponents in the group. Italy kept its perfect defensive record in tact with a 7-0 victory on Wednesday morning--a game that was more difficult than the score indicated, as Italy scored all their runs in the fourth inning--they faced the Czechs in the nightcap at Svoboda Park, under the lights before more than 1200 fans.

Having not really been tested to this point, the Italian defence seemed overwhelmed at first by the Czech bats, booting a number of seemingly routine plays and committing 4 errors in the first two innings. The Czechs took advantage by scoring twice in the first inning. Catcher Sabina Borecka led off the game by reaching first on a high throw by pitcher Mara Papucci, was bunted to second by Dina Pfeiferova, and scored on a miscue in left field after a hit by Lucie Petraskova. Petraskova later was later driven in by Lenka Jaklova with two out--not the first time that would happen in the game. After four straight shutouts, the Italians had surrendered two runs in the first inning.

The Czechs´ goose egg was broken not long afterward. After threatening in the first inning but stranding runners in scoring position, the Italians got on the board in the second when Valeria Bortolamai singled with two out and scored on a throwing error by Borecka, trying to catch a runner stealing.

The Czechs regained their two-run cushion in the bottom of the second when Tereza Jakesova reached first on a fielding error by Guilia Longhi at third base, stole second, and was batted in by Pfeiferova with two out.

The game then settled down somewhat, as Papucci got into a rhythm, silencing the Czech bats for a while. From the third to fifth innings, the Czechs got two hits and the Italian defence turned two double plays. Overall, Papucci went the distance for Italy.

At the plate, the Italians were threatening. In the fourth, starting pitcher Vendula Draha was lifted after Lara Buila got a one-out single, but that threat was extinguished when Borecka picked her off at second base. In the fifth, Sandra Bosdachin reached on an error and Andrea Montarri (3 for 4 in the game) singled to put two runners on, and they both scored with two outs by virtue of an intentional walk, an RBI single by Longhi, and Buila earning an RBI the hard way--getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Italians scored two to tie the game at 3, but they left the bases loaded.

The Czechs started to threaten again after that. They loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, but Borecka hit a line drive to shortstop Eva Trevisan, who then stepped on third base for the unassisted double play to end the inning.

With Jitka Horova throwing heat, the Italians went three-up and three-down for the first time in the game in the top of the seventh, setting the stage for the dramatic finish. With darkness descended upon the ballpark as a warm summer day transformed into a chilly, windy evening, Petraskova blooped a single into shallow center field. After Eliska Pojerova lined out to second base, Jaklova worked the count full and fouled off a couple of pitches to make the atmosphere a bit more nervous. She then lined a shot to deep left field off the fence. With Petroskova running on the pitch, she scored easily from first base to end the game.

As she crossed the plate, the Czech team poured out of the dugout to celebrate at home plate as the Italians walked solemnly off the field. As a group, they then made a victory lap around the field as the crowd, in no apparent hurry to leave, roared and chanted their approval.

Post-Game Comments:

Monica Corvino (head coach of Team Italy): "This morning we played a difficult game and won, then tonight we played a strong opponent. They played well, but we´re still in the tournament and we´ll go back to work tomorrow."

Lenka Jaklova (designated player for Team Czech Republic): "Right now I´m on cloud nine. I am so glad that we were able to win in the end, because we were better the whole game. The whole time we were really pushing them at bat and in the field--we had the upper hand. But we didn´t get it done until the seventh inning, so it was quite nerve-wracking. We deserved to win."