Team Italy manager Mike Piazza made some adjustments to the lineup in hopes of achieving more offensive production, and it proved to be the right move as the Azzurri scored 10 runs against the Uni Lions in a WBC warm-up exhibition game at Douliu Stadium in Douliu, Taiwan on Monday, March 6, 2023 The lineup card looked like this: Sal Frelick, LF; Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B; Vito Friscia, DH; Brett Sullivan, C; Dominic Fletcher, RF; David Fletcher, 3B; Brett Sullivan, C; Nicky Lopez, SS; Miles Mastrobuoni, 2B; Ben DeLuzio, CF; and Matt Harvey, SP.
The lineup strategy paid dividends as the Italians took control of the contest early in the top of the first inning when putting up two runs on the board. Milwaukee Brewers’ top prospect and Team Italy leadoff hitter Sal Frelick singled over the shortstop’s head. With two out, cleanup hitter Brett Sullivan drilled a stand up double to put two runners in scoring position. Then Dominic Fletcher delivered a two-run single to give the Azzurri a 2-0 advantage.
Team Italy starting pitcher Matt “the Dark Knight” Harvey looked solid in the bottom of the first inning striking out the first hitter he faced. He tossed two scoreless innings and allowed just one hit.
The Azzurri baseball squad added four runs in the top of the third inning. Vinnie “Italian Nightmare” Pasquantino was issued a walk and advanced to second base on a fielder’s choice by Vito Friscia. The hot-hitting Brett Sullivan was pitched around and walked. Dominic Fletcher hit an RBI single to right field to give Team Italy its first run of the inning. David Fletcher was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Nicky Lopez, who connected with a two-run single to center field. A double steal followed by an overthrow to third base by the Uni Lions catcher allowed David Fletcher to cross the plate.
Parma, Italy native and former Chicago Cub pitching prospect Matteo Bocchi entered the game in the bottom of the third inning with a comfortable 6-0 lead. The right-handed sidearmer gave up a leadoff double which led to the Uni Lions’ only run of the contest.
Despite Vinnie Pasquantino legging out a double to right field and advancing to third base on a bloop single by Vito Friscia, Team Italy came up short of scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Matteo Bocchi returned to pitch a scoreless bottom of the fourth inning.
Reliever Joe Biagini struck out the first and last hitter he faced in the bottom of the fifth inning. He showed promise in his scoreless inning of relief.
Team Italy put the game out of reach in the top of the sixth inning when scoring four runs. Outfielder Ben DeLuzio showed some pop when homering over the center field wall and putting the Italians in front 7-1 in the top of the sixth inning. Then Sal Frelick reached first on an infield error. Vito Friscia followed with a towering ground rule double to center. Brett Sullivan reached first on a fielder's choice which resulted in Sal Frelick being called out at the plate. Dominic Fletcher picked up his fourth RBI of the game when hitting another RBI single to right field to give Team Italy the 8-1 lead. After hitting two foul ball home runs in the right field stands, pinch hitter Robel Garcia was granted a walk to load the bases. Back-to-back walks to Nicky Lopez and Miles Mastrobuoni gave Team Italy a commanding 10-1 lead.
A trio of Italian relievers executed their game plan to get the job during the late innings. Pitcher Ryan Castellani demonstrated that he can help the Team Italy bullpen after he struck the side in the bottom of the sixth inning. Lefty Joe LaSorsa worked the bottom of the seventh inning and held the Uni Lions scoreless. FIBS Academy graduate and New York Mets pitching prospect Claudio Scotti came into the game in the bottom of the eighth inning and kept the Taiwanese team off the board for two innings to secure the Azzurri 10-1 victory.
Team Italy now prepares for its WBC debut against Cuba on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium. Forza #Italia!
TEAM ITALY WBC POOL A SCHEDULE
Thursday, March 9, 2023: Italy - Cuba (6 am EST)
Friday, March 10, 2023: Italy - Chinese Taipei (6 am EST)
Saturday, March 11, 2023: Panama - Italy (Friday, March 10 @11 pm EST)
Sunday, March 12, 2023: Kingdom of the Netherlands - Italy (6 am EST)
by Roberto Angotti
2023 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC NEWS
(Photo of Dominic Fletcher by IABF)
