Coming off a 9-0 shutout over Russia on Women's European Softball Championship Opening Day in Friuli-Venezia Giulia the night prior, Team Italy defeated Poland via mercy rule after four innings by a score of 10-0 on the Ronchi dei Legionari diamond under the lights on Monday, June 28, 2021.
The Italians got on the board early in the top of the first inning when they scored five runs. Leadoff hitter Fabrizia Marrone drew a walk, stole second and advanced to third base on a single by Emily Carosone. Azzurre slugger Erika Piancastelli walked to load the bases for cleanup hitter Andrea Filler, who drove in three runs on a double to left-center field. An RBI single from Giulia Longhi gave Team Italy a 4-0 advantage. Brittany Abacherli followed with a walk. Then catcher Elisa Cecchetti hit an RBI single to make it a 5-0 game.
Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini put all his trust in starting pitcher Ilaria Cacciamani, who delivered four scoreless innings and allowed just three hits with six strikeouts and no walks.
The Azzurre softball squad tacked on two more runs in the top of the third inning after Erika Piancastelli walked and Giulia Longhi clubbed a two-run homer over the left field fence.
Team Italy added two additional runs in the top of the fourth inning when back-to-back doubles from Andrea Howard and Erika Piancastelli preceded a two-run blast just inside the left-field foul pole by Andrea Filler.
With two wins so far, Team Italy has the opportunity to pick up two more in the Euros on Tuesday, June 29. The day game is against Bulgaria at 3 pm (local time) in Cervignano, while the nightcap is scheduled for 8 pm (local time) when the undefeated Azzurre softball squad faces Hungary in Ronchi dei Legionari. Follow all the action on FIBSTV.com. Forza #Italia! #PerEnrico
by Roberto Angotti
BOX SCORE
CALENDAR, RESULTS AND PLAY-BY-PLAY
STANDINGS
STATS
(Photo of Giulia Longhi.hitting a home run against Poland by EzR-NADOC)
