Race is on between Nettuno, San Marino and Nettuno

Waves already being made just two weeks into the second half of the 2013 IBL season as the two teams that were at the top to begin the downhill towards the playoffs are there no more, with one (Nettuno) fading fast. At the top now stands Rimini, a game up on Unipol Bologna and 3 up on both T&A San Marino and a dropping Nettuno club. Catanoso’s team looked good on the road in their series with Novara, coming out on top in convincing fashion in both games. At the moment the Pirates are pretty much unstoppable with the bat, absolutely handing it to the opposing pitchers. Chiarini and Romero alone have driven in over 60 runs just two weeks into the second half (22 games).

Moving on to Nettuno and their recent struggles after pulling off 15 of 16 to end the first half. First two to Parma at home, which was then followed up by anther two this past weekend to Palfinger Reggio Emilia. What’s going on? Well the answer is simple.. Errors, Errors, and more Errors. After having gloved the ball so well to begin the season, Bagialemani’s club is having problems as of late. Over this past weekend alone, they committed an uncharacteristic 7 errors in two games. So its easy to say that the continuous lighting of the ‘E’ on the score board is something that Nettuno is going to have to take care of if they want to be in the mix of things in September.

Now onto Unipol Bologna and their two series splits against two teams that they were heavily favored against, Novara and Ronchi dei Legionari. Granted both losses came against two quality pitchers as great pitching (Calero-Novara, Yepez-Ronchi) always beats great hitting, but still, its not like Bologna isn’t loaded on the bump themselves. Regardless Unipol will hope to put these two losses behind them and return to their usual form in order to stay within striking difference of the top of the class.

Four straight victories for Bindi’s club, T&A San Marino, have put them in a nice spot to begin the second half. This all from a club that struggled mightily before the European Champions Cup Tournament only three weeks ago. It seems that they have turned the corner and are ready to play up to their capabilities. This weekend will be an important test for them as they will be welcoming in Nettuno, and I can assure you that after their four straight losses they will most certainly be hunting for a couple of ‘W’s’.

Currently the only other team that can even entertain the idea of the playoffs is Parma. Thus far Munoz has done a wonderful job with his young group of ball players as they are only a 1.5 out, and seem to be getting stronger. Led by Osman Marval and De Simone on offense, and followed up by a class of arms that are holding their own against the rest in the league. Look out T&A and Nettuno, because a stumble here or there could cost you the playoffs in 2013.

You never know what Palfinger Reggio Emilia is going to show up when you play them. It’s either going to be the team that can hand a loss to even the top dog in the league or a team that looks as if they haven’t won a single game all season. Let see if this past weekends success against a tough Nettuno club can catapult Carrions club into a winning streak, as they look to reach the .500 mark in the wins – loss column.

Next on the list, there’s a Ronchi club that has been chocking up the wins as of late with a sweep over Grosseto that was followed up this past weekend with a series split against Unipol Bologna. They too will be shooting for to hit that .500 mark before things are all said and done.

Lastly the two bottom dwellers, Novara and Grosseto, just seem to be missing something this season, and with Grosseto recently making a number of cuts to their roster look for their struggles to continue throughout the rest of the season. Novara will at least play one close one against anyone that they faceoff with (when the southpaw Calero is on the mound), but lack the pitcher to make the second one interesting.