Team Italy wins U15 European Softball Championship Silver Medal and qualifies for 2023 U15 World Cup in Tokyo

Team Italy wins U15 European Softball Championship Silver Medal and qualifies for 2023 U15 World Cup in Tokyo
23/07/2022
Undefeated Czech Republic shut out Team Italy 10-0 in a four-inning mercy-rule Gold Medal win in the U15 European Softball Championship final in Enschede, the Netherlands on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Both teams have punched their ticket to represent the Europe-Africa Region at the upcoming 2023 WBSC U15 Softball World Cup in Tokyo Japan.

Having suffered a 10-0 four-inning mercy-rule shutout to Czech Republic four days prior, Team Italy was the underdog going into the U15 European Softball Championship final in Enschede, the Netherlands on Saturday, July 23, 2022.

Team Italy threatened to score in the top of the first inning off Czech Republic starter and 2022 European Softball Championship MVP pitcher Nikola Skardova. Sveva Moggi reached first base when swinging at the third strike and the ball getting away from the catcher. She stole second base and advanced to third base on a groundout by Lucia Polini. However, she was left stranded without crossing the plate. The Czech pitcher was dominate in her four-inning appearance and gave up just one hit with 10 strikeouts and no walks to lead her team to the 2022 U15 European Softball Championship title.

Team Italy U15 softball manager Maristella Perizzolo put all her trust in starting pitcher Emma Silva, who surrendered two runs to the Czechs in the bottom of the first inning. Czech Republic slugger and 2022 European Softball Championship MVP hitter Kristyna El Ghannam was the most feared player in the international competition. A member of the Czech Republic U15 baseball team and the U18 softball team, Kristyna El Ghannam hit a two-run single to put the Czechs in front 2-0.

Team Italy pitcher Emma Silva tossed a scoreless second inning before Czech Republic added seven more runs in the bottom of the third inning. Denisa Sustrova led off with a triple to right field. Then Kristyna El Ghannam was intentionally walked. Sara Rolfesova hit an RBI infield single to give Czech Republic the 3-0 advantage. A walk to Nikola Skardova loaded the bases for Tereza Koubova, who delivered a three-run triple and knocked starter Emma Silva out of the ballgame.

Team Italy manager Maristella Perizzolo summoned reliever Kylie Milano to stop the bleeding with Czech Republic leading 6-0. A quick Lucie Veceova groundout to first base allowed another run to cross the plate. An ensuing walk to Lucie Cervenkova was followed by a single by Amalie Kalcevova. That was it for Kylie Milano.

Team Italy went to the bullpen again and brought out reliever Giulia Squalizza, who gave up a two-run double to Denisa Sustrove and allowed Czech Republic to take a commanding 9-0 lead.

Giulia Squalizza returned to pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning. She struck out pinch-hitter Amélie Foretova before Nikola Skardova tripled down the left field line. Pinch hitter Kristýna Bohacova hit an RBI single to end the 10-0 four-inning mercy-rule Gold Medal win for Czech Republic.

ITALY-CZECH REPUBLIC BOX SCORE

ITALY-CZECH REPUBLIC LIVESTREAM REPLAY

Despite the loss, Team Italy earned the U15 European Softball Championship silver medal and also qualified for the 2023 WBSC U15 Softball World Cup in Tokyo Japan. In the battle for the bronze, Kingdom of the Netherlands beat Ukraine by a score of 10 to 9. Forza #Italia!.

by Roberto Angotti

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(Photo of Team Czech Republic with the 2022 U15 European Softball Championship Trophy by LG-FIBS)