Caserta in cruise-control atop Italian Softball League; playoff picture near complete

Caserta in cruise-control atop Italian Softball League; playoff picture near complete
17/06/2012
ROME –With only four games of the regular season remaining in the Italian Softball League, not much has changed for first-place Caserta

ROME –With only four games of the regular season remaining in the Italian Softball League, not much has changed for first-place Caserta.  The 2011 ISL champion clinched the regular season title last week and added another sweep under the belt yesterday, with two easy wins, 12-3 and 8-4, at home over second-to-last-place Titano. The final two games (Caserta will have an off-week this week) of the regular season will allow Caserta to become more creative with the line-up cards, in an attempt to season the organization’s young prospects and give them all-important game experience, while affording some much needed rest to the veterans, so they can heal the bumps and bruises that were picked up along the way.  

With yesterday’s sweep over Nuoro, 2-0 and 3-1, La Loggia was able to also cash in its ticket for a ride to the playoffs; nevertheless, La Loggia, Bologna and Bollate, the two likely squads that will join Caserta and La Loggia in the postseason, will not have the luxury to cruise to the finish line. 

Bollate batted down Forli’s chances to play the spoiler yesterday and significantly increased its chances to move on to the postseason, with a clean sweep of Forli, 3-1 and 4-0.

Although a longshot, there is still the possibility that fifth-place Forli sneaks into the 4-hole. Forli would have to win its 4 remaining games and pray for a miracle, in hopes that Bollate and Bologna would stumble while closing concluding the regular season. Bologna has two games remaining on its schedule, but Bollate needs to finish four more plus two make up games.

Bologna could have clinched a berth yesterday, but only split with Legnano at Legnano. Legnano quickly put the idea of Bologna clinching a playoff berth on Legnano’s home turf, taking the opener in shutout fashion, 4-0. Bologna bounced back in the nightcap with a 3-1 victory.

La Loggia, Bologna and Bollate will also be jockeying for position not to face Caserta in the opening round of the playoffs.  Caserta will be paired with the fourth-place finisher, while the 2nd place and 3rd place teams will collide.