Israel pitcher Shlomo Lipetz took on a Herculean task but proved to be only human Friday, tossing a shutout against Great Britain but losing Game 3 of the European Championship qualifier final a few hours later at Baptist Village, Petah Tikva. Israel won the first game 7-0 behind a six-hit, five strikeout performance by Lipetz, who was named the tournament's most valuable pitcher, forcing the rubber match. Britain beat Israel and Lipetz (2-1 ) - who lasted into the fifth inning - 5-2, thanks to a dominating performance by Alexander Smith (2-0 ).

Great Britain thereby advanced to next year's championship in Holland, joining winners from four other pools competing this week to join the seven teams which had already qualified. Israel is left to contemplate what might have been if promising young pitcher Alon Leichman had not required Tommy John surgery this spring. At the same time, it can be very proud that it pushed the tournament's favorite to the limit, indicating how much progress Israel has made in recent years.

Open gallery view Israeli catcher Eitan Maoz being introduced. The national team came close – but not close enough. Credit: Sarah Gopher

"I had a really good first game. It seemed that I had their number and was able to keep them off balance," Lipetz said last night, before his scheduled flight back to New York. "People were joking [about pitching a second game], but I suggested it since we didn't have anyone fresh that would be a proper starter. The only other option would have Guy pitch on one day's rest."

Israel's bats gave Lipetz plenty of support in the first game, helped by British miscues. Dan Rothem singled in Oren Gal, who had singled and advanced to third on an error for Israel's first run. In the fifth, Ophir Katz was hit by a pitch, walked over to second, and scored on a wild pitch. Noam Markose then scored on a single by Gal, and Eitan Maoz doubled in Gal and Leichman. Maoz - who batted .474 for the tournament - added another 2-RBI double in the seventh to complete the scoring.

Maoz singled in Gal to give Israel an early 1-0 lead in the rubber match. However, an error gave the British two runs in the fourth and restored their confidence. They chased Lipetz the next inning as he yielded his only earned run of the tournament. Reliever Guy Stevens gave up another two runs in the seventh, and Israel was unable to manufacture a rally as it had in its first loss to Britain on Wednesday.

Peter Kurz, the Israel Association of Baseball president, called the tournament the best of the five pools. "There were a lot more fans, a lot more success, a lot closer games," he said. Over 400 fans came out on a very hot day to watch the final.