The Team Italy women's softball squad was put to the test by Germany in the European Softball Championship at Camp Municipal de Sófbol de Viladecans in Viladecans (Barcelona), Spain on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. The Germans scored twice in the top of the second inning and added another run in the top of the third inning. Team Italy starting pitcher Laura Bigatton gave up one earned run on five hits with one strikeout and one walk in two innings of work.
Reliever and hero Alice Nicolini entered the contest in the top of the third inning with a runner in scoring position and no outs. After a sacrifice bunt, the lefty pitcher struck out Germany's Noemi Weyel and Lara Brockmeyer to stop the bleeding. That would be the difference in the ballgame as Alice Nicolini earned the win after throwing five scoreless innings and issuing just one hit with four strikeouts and no walks.
Team Italy was gifted one run by Germany in the bottom of the fifth inning. Back-to-back walks to Sarah Edwards and Giulia Koutsoyanopulos followed by two consecutive wild pitches allowed Sarah Edwards to cross the plate.
Down 3-1 and running out of time in the top of the sixth inning. the Italians scored three runs to come from behind and take a slim 4-3 lead. After singles by McKenzie Barbara and Elisa Cecchetti, Giulia Longhi put down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners into scoring position. Team Italy slugger Sarah Edward followed with a two-run double and later scored on an infield error by German third baseman Lara Brockmeyer trying to throw out speedy Fabrizia Marrone at first base.
ITALY-GERMANY BOX SCORE
ITALY-GERMANY LIVESTREAM REPLAY
Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini sent out pitching ace Ilaria Cacciamani against Ireland in the afternoon. She threw six scoreless innings and allowed just four hits with 10 strikeouts and two walks.
The Italians took advantage of walks and errors to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Both Alessandra Rotondo and Melany Sheldon walked and later scored on two throwing errors by the catcher.
Team Italy added one run in the bottom of the third inning when cleanup hitter McKenzie Barbara hit a solo home run.
The Azzurre softball squad put up three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Laura Vigna reached first base on a fielder's choice, Alessandra Rotondo walked and Melany Sheldon singled to load the bases for slugger McKenzie Barbara. A walk to McKenzie Barbara allowed Laura Vigna to cross the plate. Then Elisa Cecchetti delivered a two-run single to give Team Italy a comfortable 6-0 advantage.
The Italians nailed the coffin shut when scoring another run in the bottom of the sixth inning. McKenzie Barbara led off with a single and was replaced by pinch runner Laura Bigatton, who later scored on an RBI single down the left field line by Giulia Longhi to end the six- inning mercy-rule 7-0 shutout over Ireland.
IRELAND-ITALY BOX SCORE
IRELAND-ITALY LIVESTREAM REPLAY
Team Italy plays two round-robin games on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. The first contest against France takes place at 9 am (local time) at Estadio Municipal de Sófbol Antonio Hervás, Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona). The Italians return for a second game against Great Britain at 1:30 pm (local time). The international competition continues through Saturday, July 30, 2022. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
EUROPEAN SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
EUROPEAN SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP LIVESTREAM
TEAM ITALY ELITE SOFTBALL NEWS
(Photo of Team Italy reliever Alice Nicolini pitching against Germany in the 2022 European Softball Championship by Ezio Ratti/Nadoc)
