Road to the Olympics: Israel advances to final of qualifier

Israel 10, Ireland 3 (7 innings, rain) — Israel completed a five-game sweep of the round-robin portion of the tournament. Penprase led the offense with a two-run homer and two-run double, and now has 12 RBIs in five games. Rob Paller went 3-for-4 and Asaf Lowengart hit a solo homer. Winning pitcher Eric Brodkowitz limited Ireland (1-4) to three hits and struck out eight in five innings, and Rothem allowed two hits in two innings of relief.

Israel 13, Russia 12 (10 innings) — Israel (4-0) earned the spot as the home team in Saturday’s final with a five-run rally in the 10th inning. After Russia (3-1) scored four times in the top of the inning without the benefit of a hit, Israel began its comeback when Tal Erel was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Glasser smacked a two-run ground-rule double, and Gailen followed with a walk-off two-run single. Gailen went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and Penprase also drove in three runs — two with a fifth-inning homer. Jonathan DeMarte, Israel’s third pitcher, got the win.

Here is our previous post with more information on Israel’s road to the Olympics and its first three victories in the qualifier.