Pat Pace Baseball Academy stands out in Citta Del Mare Baseball Cup 2025

The Pat Pace Baseball Academy proudly represented Malta in the Città del Mare Baseball Cup 2025 in Anzio, Italy, showing resilience, energy, and plenty of promise across three exciting matchups. From a high-scoring opening win to thrilling rallies and valuable lessons against top Italian clubs, the Maltese side displayed growth and determination throughout the tournament.

1st Game – San Giacomo (10) vs. Pat Pace Baseball Academy (15)

The Pat Pace Baseball Academy opened the tournament in spectacular fashion with a 15–10 victory over San Giacomo, a result that set the tone for their Italian campaign. From the very first inning, the Maltese side showed they meant business, plating four runs thanks to patient hitting and aggressive baserunning. San Giacomo quickly answered with four of their own, but the Academy refused to be rattled, steadily building momentum as the game progressed.

On the mound, Cody Tabone was a difference-maker. He struck out nine batters over four innings, keeping San Giacomo’s bats in check when the game could have swung either way. In the final inning, Amy Summer Elliott stepped up to close the game with calm precision, securing the win under pressure.

The offense was well-spread across the lineup. Elliott starred at the plate too, lacing a single and a double that drove in vital runs. At the top of the order, Kole Bartolo and Lucia Zhang reached base consistently, scoring early runs that kept the pressure on San Giacomo. Behind the plate, Samuel Moreno was a standout, making tough defensive plays and reaching base in every at-bat, while Matteo Ciappara, coming in late, chipped in with a hit of his own. San Giacomo fought hard to the end, but the Academy’s balance of pitching, hitting, and energy carried them to a memorable opening win.

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2nd Game – Pat Pace Baseball Academy (8) vs Nettuno Lions (11)

In Game 2 against Nettuno Lions, the Maltese squad faced an uphill climb. The Lions jumped ahead early, scoring steadily across the first four innings to build a daunting 9–0 lead, while the Maltese side struggled to find a rhythm at the plate. For much of the game, it looked like a one-sided contest.

But the Academy’s resilience shone through. With two outs in the fifth inning, Gabriella Hili entered as a substitute and immediately shifted the momentum by reaching base and later scoring the team’s first run. That moment sparked a rally. Yazmine Cauchi Vassallo kept the inning alive, and Alicia Visser delivered the Academy’s first hit of the game, driving in a run and lifting the morale of the dugout. The team added three more runs in the frame, cutting the deficit and giving themselves hope heading into the final inning.

The sixth inning became a showcase of grit. Down to their last out, Hili, Cauchi Vassallo, and Visser once again found ways to reach base, loading the bags and setting the stage for a thrilling finish. Kole Bartolo showed patience at the plate, drawing a walk to push in a run, before Samuel Moreno ripped a clutch double to bring home two more. Cody Tabone followed with another double to score the Pat Pace Baseball Academy’s final run, closing the gap to 11–8. Despite the furious comeback, the Lions held on, but the Maltese players walked away proud of a performance that turned a blowout into one of the most exciting games of the tournament.

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3rd Game – Anzio Dolphins (11) vs Pat Pace Baseball Academy (1)

The final matchup saw the Pat Pace Baseball Academy go up against the Anzio Dolphins, a powerhouse side that lived up to their reputation with an 11–1 win. The Dolphins struck early, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding five more in the second to take firm control. Yet even against a tough opponent, the Maltese side continued to battle every pitch.

Once again, Cody Tabone was reliable on the mound, striking out seven batters in four innings despite the strength of the Dolphins’ lineup. Lucia Zhang took over late, showing composure by striking out two batters and making a strong defensive play to close the frame.

At the plate, the Academy created chances. Amy Elliott and Liam Brincat each collected hits, and in the bottom of the sixth, Brincat crossed the plate for the team’s lone run after advancing into scoring position. With runners stranded on second and third, the Maltese squad showed they were still pushing to the very last out, refusing to give in. Though the Dolphins’ firepower proved too much, the game offered valuable experience against top-level opposition.

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Pat Pace Baseball Academy Batting

Pat Pace Baseball Academy Pitching