Team Italy defeats Spain 10-1 and qualifies for Women’s European Softball Championship Bronze Medal Game

Team Italy defeats Spain 10-1 and qualifies for Women’s European Softball Championship Bronze Medal Game
29/07/2022
Against Spain on Friday, July 29, 2022, Team Italy sluggers Elisa Cecchetti and McKenzie Barbara hit grand slams to put the Italians in the Women’s European Softball Championship Bronze Medal Game against Czech Republic

Team Italy beat Spain 10-1 via mercy rule in six innings in the Women’s European Softball Championship at Estadio Municipal de Sófbol Antonio Hervás in Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona on Friday, July 29, 2022 to earn the right to compete in the Battle for the Bronze against Czech Republic on Saturday, July 30, 2022.

Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini called on starting pitcher Alexia Lacatena to face Spain. She threw four innings and allowed no earned runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.

Spain countered with Venezuelan-born starter Anyibell Ramirez, the former Mid-South Conference Lindsey Wilson College star who led the nation with over 400 strikeouts in 2011.

In the bottom of the first inning, a pair of controversial calls at second base and home plate deprived Team Italy of one run. With two outs, McKenzie Barbara was at bat and Fabrizia Marrone was on first base after being issued a leadoff walk. The home plate umpire called ball four while the umpire at second base called Fabrizia Marrone out on a stolen base attempt.

The Spanish players walked off the field thinking the inning was over. However, Fabrizia Marrone continued to run the bases. Catcher Yaicey Sojo tagged Fabrizia Marrone at the plate with one hand while clutching on to her helmet in her other hand for the third out. Fabrizia Marrone protested the call by home plate umpire Megan Hylton to no avail, and the Italians came up empty.

In the bottom of the second inning, Team Italy again threatened but did not score after a ground rule double by Laura Vigna and a bunt single from Elisa Princic.

Team Italy was gifted one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs, Elisa Cecchetti doubled and Laura Vigna was intentionally walked. Then Elisa Princic reached second base, and Elisa Cecchetti crossed the plate on an infield error.

Team Italy reciprocated the favor in the top of the fifth inning when a throwing error to first base by third baseman Giulia Longhi ended up costing the Italians one run after an RBI single by Candela Garcia. Starter Alexia Lacatena was relieved by Alice Nicolini, who managed to keep Spain hitless for the remainder of the contest and picked up the win for Team Italy.

The Italians broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth inning when scoring four runs to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Following a fielder’s choice by Amanda Fama, a single to Melany Sheldon and a walk to McKenzie Barbara, the hot-hitting Elisa Cecchetti clubbed a grand slam over the left field fence.

Team Italy added five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Giulia Longhi led off with a double and advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Giulia Koutsoyanopulos. Alessandra Rotondo walked to put runners on the corners for Fabrizia Marrone. The speedy outfielder slapped a single down the middle to allow Giulia Longhi to score. After a walk to Melany Sheldon, McKenzie Barbara hit a grand slam to end the game via mercy rule by a score of 10 to 1.

SPAIN-ITALY BOX SCORE

SPAIN-ITALY LIVESTREAM REPLAY

Team Italy plays Czech Republic in the European Softball Championship Bronze Medal Game on Saturday, July 30 at 3 pm (local time) or 9 am (ET). Great Britain and Kingdom of the Netherlands compete in European Softball Championship Gold Medal Game at 6 pm (local time) or 12 noon (ET). Forza #Italia!

by Roberto Angotti

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(Photo of Team Italy spark plug Laura Vigna against Spain in the 2022 European Softball Cjhampionship by Ezio Ratti/Nadoc)