Team Italy approached its last game in the final round robin against France on Friday night, July 2, 2021 as dress rehearsal for the Women's European Championship final. Giving rest to the regular starters in an effort to avoid any injury to his softball superstars, Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini asked bench players Fabrizia Marrone, Elisa Grifagno, Elisa Cecchetti, Beatrice Ricchi and Melany Sheldon to step up and defeat the French. Absent from the starting lineup was Brittany Abacherli, Emily Carosone, Andrea Filler and Giulia Longhi.
Starting pitcher Lisa Birocci, who threw a no-hitter against Hungary on June 29, 2021, was asked to get the job done once more. She repeated with another scoreless performance against France and allowed just two hits with three strikeouts and no walks in four innings of work.
Team Italy launched its offensive attack in the bottom of the second inning when the Azzurre scored six runs. Amanda Fama walked and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Elisa Cecchetti. An RBI single from Beatrice Ricchi resulted in the first run of the contest.
Utility infielder Melany Sheldon followed with a two-run homer. After Giulia Koutsoyanopulos was hit by a pitch and Fabrizia Marrone as well as Elisa Grifagno were issued walks, the bases were loaded for Andrea Howard. A wild pitch enabled Giulia Koutsoyanopulos to cross the plate from third and the other baserunners to advance into scoring position. Then Andrea Howard delivered a two RBI single to give Team Italy a commanding 6-0 advantage.
The Azzurre offense came back for one more in the bottom of the third inning. Beatice Ricchi led off with a walk, advanced to second on another walk to Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, and made it to third on an infield single by Fabrizia Marrone. She scored easily on a sacrifice fly from Elisa Grifagno to put Team Italy on top 7-0.
Slugger Erika Piancastelli led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo blast far beyond the center field fence. With two out, Beatrice Ricchi singled and advanced to third base when Melany Sheldon reached first on an infield error. Giulia Koutsoyanopulos nailed the coffin shut on France after hitting a two RBI double and putting into effect the 10-run mercy rule to seal the Team Italy victory.
With Kingdom of the Netherlands defeating Czech Republic 5-4 in Ronchi dei Legionari earlier today, the Dutch earn the right for a rematch against Team Italy in the Women's European Championship final on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 8:30 pm in Castions di Strada. In addition to bragging rights as the Euro champion, the winner of the contest will receive an invitation to play in the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama. Watch the highlights and postgame interviews on FIBSTV. Forza #Italia! #PerEnrico
by Roberto Angotti
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(Photo of Team Italy's Elisa Grifagno at bat and Andrea Howard on deck by EzR-NADOC)
