Israel baseball juniors into semifinals

Israeli team rebounded from 2 early losses to earn 2nd place in the round-robin stage of the Maccabiah junior tournament on Wednesday.

By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Dov Liman's son pitches at Maccabiah 370 (photo credit: Jordy Alter)
Dov Liman's son pitches at Maccabiah 370
(photo credit: Jordy Alter)
The Israeli baseball team rebounded from two early losses to earn second place in the round-robin stage of the Maccabiah junior tournament on Wednesday.
Following the two setbacks, Israel’s players and coaches did not lose hope. They came roaring back with a 5-3 victory over USA and handed the ball to 16-year-old Bet Shemesh resident Shlomo Lipman – son of MK Dov Lipman – to take the mound Wednesday against Team Canada.
The younger Lipman responded with a gem, tossing a complete game five-hitter in just 74 pitches as the Israelis defeated Canada 4-1.
“It felt great to consistently hit the strike zone and it helped that I had a great defense behind me,” Shlomo Lipman explained. “I am so happy that our team is able to bring pride to Israel through our performance.”
Blue-and-white team manager Yaron Erel echoed his pitcher’s enthusiasm.
“After so many practices, the hard work is paying off. I am so proud to see how the kids have developed into fine baseball players and a very good team.”
The medal round begins on Thursday, with Israel once again facing off against Canada, this time for a spot in the finals.
In other news from Wednesday, Famed shoe designer, Stuart Weitzman, who donated $1 million to Maccabi USA through the Weitzman Family Foundation ahead of the Maccabiah, suffered a defeat to Alexander Rosmarin in the last-16 of the masters table tennis tournament.
Elsewhere, Brazil maintained its perfect record in the futsal tournament with a 7-1 win over the previously unbeaten England.
Also, Israeli Yarden Sharabi won gold in 57kg taekwondo, with Flora Laloosh from France finishing first in the 72kg category. Christina Kapisova from Russia won the 62kg event, while Rachel Mayer of the USA took the gold in the 53kg.
Imi Ben-Hefer won the gold in the rifle three positions event, beating fellow Israeli Gil Simkovich.