After losses to USA and China the day prior, the Team Italy U15 softball squad returned to Utsugi Stadium in Takasaki City for the battle for fifth place at the Utsugi Cup against Tanzania on Sunday, June 4, 2023. Pitcher Giada Cagni threw three perfect innings with seven strikeouts to shut down the East African nation. The Italian offense was relentless and scored 21 runs to induce the mercy rule after three innings.
In other action, Mexico won the bronze medal after a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over China. USA took home the gold after defeating Japan 1-0 in a tiebreaker. Macie Bryant tossed a perfect game for the Americans.
Team Italy U15 manager Maristella Perizzolo said, "It was a very nice and interesting experience. Apart from the results on which we are in any case moderately satisfied, it was very useful to compare ourselves with the world's top teams and, at the same time, discover customs and traditions of Japan, a very useful experience that we will treasure in view of the U15 World Cup in October. We have four months to prepare ourselves in the best possible way.” Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of the Team Italy U15 softball squad at the Utsugi Cup by FIBS)
