Despite four-game sweep by Canada in Fort Myers, Team Italy demonstrates good sportsmanship

Despite four-game sweep by Canada in Fort Myers, Team Italy demonstrates good sportsmanship
26/04/2021
Having lost by scores of , , and in previous contests against third-ranked Canada at the in Fort Myers, Florida on April 25 and 26, the Team Italy women's softball squad showed poise throughout the competition

Having lost by scores of , , and in previous contests against third-ranked Canada at the in Fort Myers, Florida on April 25 and 26, the Team Italy women's softball squad showed poise throughout the competition. In game two of the second doubleheader, Canada completed the four-game sweep over Team Italy with a 14-5 victory.

The Italians faced two pitchers that they had never seen before. Pitcher Karissa Hovinga got her first start for Canada during Florida Spring Training. She had previously seen action as a reliever in recent games against Florida SouthWestern State College and Western Kentucky University. Reliever Morgan Rackel was also used in contest. The unfamiliar faces were effective in taming the Team Italy offense as Canada prevailed in the final exhibition game between the Olympic-bound squads before they clash in Tokyo, Japan on July 26, 2021.

Team Italy threatened in the top of the first inning. Laura Vigna led off with a single, and Amanda Fama put down a perfect bunt single. Emily Carosone followed with a walk. With bases loaded, Erika Piancastelli fouled out to first, Andrea Filler struck out, and Beatrice Ricchi lined out to second base to leave opposing pitcher Karissa Hovinga unscathed.

Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini called upon starting pitcher Ilaria Cacciamani, who started game one of yesterday's doubleheader and surrendered 10 runs on 13 hits with two strikeouts and four walks in five innings of work. The Canadians picked up where they left off and relished at the dish in the bottom of the first inning. Ilaria Cacciamani gave up five runs before she was relieved by Alice Nicolini, who succumbed to an RBI single before ending the inning.

Down 6-0 in the top of the second inning, Team Italy was desperate for some offense, but pitcher Karissa Hovinga only allowed an infield single to Fabrizia Marrone. In the bottom of the second inning, Canada added four runs for a commanding 10-0 lead. The following inning Amanda Fama singled and advanced to second base on a fielder's choice by Emily Carosone. An RBI triple from Andrea Filler gave Team Italy its first run of the game.

Canada increased its lead to 11-1 in the bottom of the third inning. Team Italy came back with singles from Giulia Longhi, Brittany Abacherli, Fabrizia Marrone, and Laura Vigna in the top of the fourth inning before reliever Morgan Rackel came into the contest with the score 11-2. Amanda Fama approached the batter's box with bases loaded. She delivered an infield single to allow another run to cross the plate. A two-run single by Andrea Filler made it an 11-5 game.

The relentless Canada offense took a 12-5 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning after an RBI triple by Emma Entzminger. Team Italy outfielder Fabrizia Marrone picked up her third hit of the game in the top of the fifth inning, but she was left stranded at first base. Pitcher Greta Cecchetti entered the game and threw a scoreless fifth inning.

Emily Carosone singled in the top of the sixth inning, but Team Italy was unable to capitalize on the scoring opportunity. Greta Cecchetti served up two runs to Canada in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Canadians a 14-5 cushion. In the top of the seventh inning, Giulia Longhi singled but could not advance before the game was over. All was not lost though as the Italians gained invaluable experience playing competively against Canada

The Team Italy women's softball squad now travels to Miami to play against on April 27, 2021 at 6 pm (ET). Tuesday's exhibition game will be closed to the public, but fans can watch the game for free on . Watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking . Forza #Italia! #PerEnrico

by Roberto Angotti