Ireland v Serbia Montenegro - European Pool B Championships 2004

The Top ten games in Baseball Ireland History (number 5)

Game Number 5
Ireland v Serbia Montenegro
Fuerth, Germany
European Pool B Championships 2004

Game files
Game: Ireland v Serbia Montenegro
Tournament: European Pool B Championships
Game type: Group game
Venue: Fuerth, Germany

Ireland travelled to Germany in 2004 for their fifth showing at the Pool B European Championships. The team was well coached, trained hard and had high expectations of getting in amongst the medals this time round, in only the organisations eight year of existence. To get to the playoff round they had to first handle Serbia Montenegro in the group games. This excerpt from my book on Irish Baseball breaks the game down for you like a fraction.

From 'Pitching in - ten years on the Irish baseball team'

''Crunch time followed. The game against the Serbian team took place a two hour drive away in Feurth, back where had started the trip with the friendly victory over the home town club side the Pirates. Taking the mound for the Irish, David Callaghan. Rooming with David for the tour I knew he was focused and ready for this game from the moment he woke up.

He just had ‘that’ look to him on the day. A certain focus. He looked like Tiger Woods before a big shot, a look that says ‘I am going to do this.’ He looked like Tom Brady, Derek Jeter or Dwayne Wade before a big game. Same look. Kind of clutch.

He was poised, threw his fastball hard and his curve ball had a wicked bite to it. There have been some amazing performances from pitchers in the Irish Jersey. Bill Beglane over Portugal in ’98. Bergerson against the Finns at the start of this tournament. Brian Morris against the Lithuanians in Sweden ’02. For me though, this was the most commanding, assured and confident performance ever. David was simply in control for the whole game. He threw a complete game, scattering six hits over nine innings striking out eight and inducing an amazing twelve ground ball outs, showing how in command he was over the Serbian batters.

He never looked in any trouble at all as he led the Irish team into the semi finals. David led us through the door that Kevin Corrigan kicked open. The game was tied in the eight at 3-3 with Tom Kelley on first base when K-Co blasted a two run shot, providing the final margin of 5-3 to the Irish.''

• Read more at 'Pitching in - ten years on the Irish baseball team'
• The Top ten games in Irish baseball history list page

The games listed so far:

5. Ireland v Serbia Montenegro European Championships 2004
6. Ireland v Slocum Fenway Park 2001 (pictures here)
7. Ireland v Finland European Championships 2004
8. Ireland v Slocum RI tour 2001
9. Ireland v Lithuania Sweden 2002
10. Ireland v Serbia Montenegro European Championships 2004 3rd


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