UnipolSai Bologna got on the board in decisive game four of the Italian Baseball Series in the top of the third inning when scoring four runs off San Marino starting pitcher Dimitrios Kourtis. Ernesto Liberatore reached first base on a throwing error by San Marino third baseman Leo Ferini and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Alessandro Deotto. After Dimitrios Kourtis issued a walk to Riccardo Bertossi, Darren Serafina hit a two-run double and moved to third base on a throwing error by Oscar Angulo. A sacrifice fly by MVP Riccardo Paolini followed by a solo home run by Eugene Helder put UnipolSai Bologna on top 4-0.
Winning pitcher Christopher Molina allowed two runs on seven hits with one walk and five strikeouts during his six innings of work. He surrendered both runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to San Marino when Federico Celli hit an infield single and crossed the plate on an RBI triple by Oscar Angulo, who also scored on an ensuing passed ball.
UnipolSai Bologna answered with two runs in the top of the sixth inning to make it a 6-2 game. Ricardo Paolini doubled off reliever Carlos Quevedo and advanced to third base on a single by slugger Robel Garcia. San Marino went to the bullpen again and summoned Nelson Hernandez, who immediately gave up an RBI single to Kevin Josefina. A sacrifice bunt by UnipolSai Bologna captain Lorenzo Dobboletta yielded the second run of the inning.
Dependable Raul Rivera, who won game one after throwing three hitless innings of relief and picked up the save in game three, closed out the series in the bottom of the seventh inning with a groundout, walk and two strikeouts to secure the Italian Baseball Series title for UnipolSai Fortitudo Bologna.
BOLOGNA-SAN MARINO BOX SCORE
VIDEO REPLAY
ITALIAN BASEBALL SERIES FINAL RESULTS
Game 1: UnipolSai Bologna 3, San Marino 2 BOX SCORE
Game 2: UnipolSai Bologna 7, San Marino 4 BOX SCORE
Game 3: UnipolSai Bologna 7, San Marino 6 BOX SCORE
Game 4: UnipolSai Bologna 6, San Marino 2 BOX SCORE
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
