Team Italy elite softball squad travels to Tampa to prepare for 2023 World Cup
15/12/2022
The University of Southern Florida (USF) plays host to the first meeting of the new year for the Azzurre softball squad from January 3-8, 2023 in preparation for the World Cup in July
On the heels of the WBSC announcing that the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy will host the 2023 and 2024 Softball World Cup, the Italian elite team disclosed its plans for a six-day training camp on the beautiful campus of USF in Tampa from January 3-8, 2023.
Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini, coaches Giulio Brusa and Marta Gambella, trainer Riccardo Leonesio, team physician Dr. Alessandro Buttà, physiotherapist Elio Paolini and delegation executive Isabella Dalbesio will travel with the squad to Florida and be joined by a group of talented stateside players including: Olivia Gigante (1B, RHP) from the University of Florida; Kelli Godin (OF) from UCLA and gold medal winner at the 2019 WBSC U19 Women's World Cup with Team USA; andSydney Poole from Loyola Marymount University.
Team Italy pitching coach Nancy Evans and senior advisor Mike Candrea will offer their expertise during morning workouts and afternoon inter-squad games in Tampa, Florida.
The following players are expected to participate:
Last Name
First Name
POS
B
T
Year of Birth
Barbara
McKenzie
Catherine
1B/C
L
L
2001
Bartoli
Anita
IF
R
R
2004
Cecchetti
Elisa
UTL
R
R
1995
Cortesi
Noemi
IN
R
R
2007
Fabbian
Sofia
OF
R
R
2000
Gasparotto
Marta
C
R
R
1996
Lacatena
Alexia
P/1B
R
R
2002
Longhi
Giulia
3B
R
R
1993
Marrone
Fabrizia
OF
L
L
1996
Melassi
Tara
IF
R
R
2001
Melegari
Alessia
P
R
R
2000
Nicolini
Alice
P
L
L
1995
Piancastelli
Erika
C/OF
R
R
1996
Princic
Elisa
C
R
R
2000
Rotondo
Alessandra
IF
L
R
2000
Rusconi
Vicinanza
Sara
Anna
C/1B
R
R
2001
Sheldon
Melany
IF
R
R
1997
Toniolo
Christina
Clara
P
R
R
2001
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy capatin Giulia Longhi at work during the 2022 winter camp)