Team Italy welcomes the start of 2021 season with virtual press conference and doubleheader against Softball All Stars in Caronno Pertusella

Team Italy welcomes the start of 2021 season with virtual press conference and doubleheader against Softball All Stars in Caronno Pertusella
08/05/2021
After the minute of silence dedicated to the late and great Team Italy softball manager Enrico Obletter, President Andrea Marcon, current women's softball squad manager Federico Pizzolini and Azzurre captain Erika Piancastelli spoke from the heart at the virtual press conference held prior to the doubleheader against the Softball All Stars at Francesco Nespoli Stadium in Caronno Pertusella on May 8, 2021

After the minute of silence dedicated to the late and great Team Italy softball manager Enrico Obletter, President Andrea Marcon, current women's softball squad manager Federico Pizzolini and Azzurre captain Erika Piancastelli spoke from the heart at the virtual press conference held prior to the doubleheader against the Softball All Stars at Francesco Nespoli Stadium in Caronno Pertusella on May 8, 2021.

FIBS President Andrea Marcon opened the ceremony with remarks that brought to mind how much time had elapsed since Team Italy won the 2019 Olympic Softball Europe/Africa Qualifier in the Netherlands. He said, "It seems five years have passed since Utrecht, where our long road to the Olympics began. We cannot look to the future if we do not remember the past. The situation that has arisen with COVID-19 did not allow us to fully adhere to the schedule we had set for ourselves. In light of the cicrumstances, you work as best you can while trying to adapt."

On a recent trip to Florida last month, Team Italy practiced at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach before losing exhibition games to Olympic foes USA and Canada. However, the resilient Azzurre squad finished U.S. Spring Training on a winning note with a convincing 3-1 victory over Florida International University in Miami on April 27, 2021.

Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini took note of the slow start due the delays caused by the pandemic. He said, "Our training started two months late. The trip to the United States showed us where we were competitively, but above all it gave us the opportunity to restart. Based on overall commitment that all these athletes have demonstrated, they want to be here. The coaches and staff all want to be there to support them."

Team Italy captain Erika Piancastelli echoed the sentiment and shed light on the challenge ahead. She said, "We have to use every day as a day to improve and take a step forward. The desire is great. This year was useful for us to prepare ourselves more both physically and mentally in order to compete against the top national teams. We even have more motivation than ever playing for Enrico."

In the doubleheader against the Softball All Stars following the press conference, Team Italy dropped both games by slim margins (2-1 and 4-3). Game one losing pitcher Laura Bigatton threw five solid innings and allowed just two runs on two hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Game two starter Alexia Lacatena was equally as impressive in her seven-inning performance with eight strikeouts, but Team Italy was unlucky in the 4-3 extra-inning loss. Between the two games in the Home Run Derby, Stefanie Texeira edged out runner-up Priscilla Brandi 12-7 to win the annual competition. Forza #Italia! #PerEnrico

by Roberto Angotti