Having shut out the same Cuba team a day prior by a score of 2-0, Team Italy manager Mike Piazza gave some players who saw limited action during Haarlem Baseball Week a start against the Cubans on Thursday, July 14, 2022. In addition to catcher Ernesto Liberatore, third baseman Lorenzo Morresi and shortstop Mattia Mercuri being in the Azzurri starting lineup, 16-year-old pitcher Diego Gergolet relieved starter Christian Scafidi in the fifth inning.
Cuba starting pitcher Yuen Socarras limited the Team Italy offense to just one run on six hits with eight strikeouts and three walks in the 5-1 victory over the Italians. An RBI single by Noel Gonzalez allowed Ricardo Paolini to cross the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning for the lone Team Italy run. During the entire Haarlem Baseball Week, the Azzurri offense came up short by missing opportunities to score when leaving runners stranded on base.
CUBA-ITALY BOX SCORE
At the conclusion of Haarlem Week 2022 for Team Italy, Azzurri manager Mike Piazza was candid about his squad's performance. He said, "I have discordant feelings. We obviously made mistakes, and we definitely left too many men on base. But at the same time we saw very good things from the pitchers, We brought in several young guys in this game for fifth place so that they would get more experience."
Team Italy manager MIke Piazza spoke truthfully and said, "We obviously have to look forward, but also backwards to avoid mistakes, especially when we have men in scoring position. We had too many strikeouts and got into too many double plays." The National Baseball Hall of Famer and Azzurri skipper also looked to the future and commented, "It is clear that we are in a moment of transition. The team has several experienced players and others who play against those who are twice their age. Events like this build the foundations to grow internationally."
Haarlem Week 2022 concludes on Friday, July 15, 2022 with the Gold Medal Game between Curacao and Kingdom of the Netherlands at 7 pm (local time). USA and Japan battle in the Bronze Medal Game earlier at 2 pm. Forza #Italia!
HAARLEM WEEK 2022 SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
HAARLEM WEEK 2022 NEWS
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy leadoff hitter Ricardo Paolini scoring against Cuba at Haarlem Baseball Week by K73/NADOC)
