Team Italy rolled over Lithuania 16-1 in a three-inning mercy rule contest on Wednesday morning, July 21, 2022 at the U15 European Softball Championship in Enschede, the Netherlands. Giulia Squalizza and Giulia Colino threw a combined two-hitter to keep Lithuania guessing at the plate.
Team Italy scored three runs in the first inning, six runs in the second inning and seven runs in the third inning to total 16 runs on 11 hits. RBI doubles by Lucia Polina, Noemi Cortesi, and Anita Girardi preceded a dramatic three-run triple from catcher Martina De Agostini to catapult Team Italy to an easy win over Lithuania.
LITHUANIA-ITALY BOX SCORE
LITHUANIA-ITALY LIVESTREAM REPLAY
Team Italy returned in the afternoon for a clash against Ukraine. Starting pitcher Kylie Milano tossed four innings and allowed two runs on four hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Reliever Emma Silva worked two innings to pick up the save allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts and no walks.
An inside-the-park home run by Alisa Terlova put Ukraine in front 1-0 in the top of the first inning.
Team Italy answered with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Vittoria Zumerle singled down the left field line and stole second base. Sveva Moggi followed with a walk. Lucia Polini reached first base on a fielder's choice and was thrown out at second base on a stolen base attempt. However, Vittoria Zumerle crossed the plate on the throw to second base to tie the game up 1-1.
Team Italy took a slim 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the second inning. Alida Campioni led off with a walk, advanced to second base on an infield bunt single by Kylie Milano and later scored on a groundout to second by Emma Silva.
The hot-hitting Alisa Terlova delivered an RBI triple for Ukraine in the top of the third inning to tie the contest up 2-2.
Team Italy broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning when scoring two runs. After a single from Kylie Milano and back-to-back walks to Mirta Anselmi and Emma Silva, pinch-hitter Elisa Zanolla came through in the clutch with a two-run single up the middle to make it a 4-2 game.
Ukraine put up one run in the top of the sixth inning but came up short losing to Team Italy by a score of 4 to 3.
UKRAINE-ITALY BOX SCORE
UKRAINE-ITALY LIVESTREAM REPLAY
Team Italy battles Great Britain on Friday, July 22, 2022 at 2 pm (local time) to conclude round-robin action. The U15 European Softball Championship Placement Games, Bronze Medal Game and Gold Medal Game take place on Saturday, July 23, 2022.
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
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(Photo of Team Italy pitcher Giulia Squalizza against Lithuania in the 2022 European Softball Championship by LG/FIBS)
