After a 2-0 shutout over Israel in the Canada Cup playoffs the night prior, Team Italy earned the right to advance to the semifinals and battle Canada at Softball City in Surrey on Sunday, July 16, 2023. The Italians sought revenge having lost to the Canadians 7-4 earlier in the tournament on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
Canada starting pitcher Morgan Rackel faced the following Italian lineup: Marta Gasparotto, SS; Laura Vigna, LF; Erika Piancastelli, RF; McKenzie Barbara, DP; Andrea Filler, 1B; Giulia Longhi, 3B; Melany Sheldon, SS; Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, CF; Alessandra Rotondo, 2B; and Ilaria Cacciamani, P.
Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini gave the ball to starting pitcher Ilaria Cacciamani, who started against Canada when the teams met last week and was responsible for three runs on three hits with one strikeout and two walks before being relieved by Christina Toniolo in the first inning. In the Canada Cup playoff game when it mattered most, however, Ilaria Cacciamani had better command of the ball and threw a scoreless first inning with only a single allowed to leadoff hitter Kelsey Harshman.
Canada countered with starting left-handed hurler Morgan Rackel, who limited Team Italy to just one run on three hits in four innings of work against the Italians in the Canada Cup last week.
Team Italy was first to get on the board posting one run in the bottom of the first inning. Marta Gasparotto doubled in the gap and advanced to third base on a single by Erika Piancastelli. McKenzie Barbara followed with a sacrifice fly to deep left field to give the Azzurre softball squad the 1-0 lead.
A strikeout of Kianna Jones and line drive catches by Alessandra Rotondo at second and Melany Sheldon at shortstop ended any chances of a Canada rally in the top of the second inning.
Canada tied the game 1-1 in the top of the third inning. Nicole Rivait singled and Kelsey Harshman reached second base on a ball that was lost in the sun and dropped when outfielders Laura Vigna and Giulia Koutsoyanopulos had a communication breakdown. Back-to-back walks to Janet Leung and Larissa Franklin yielded the Canadians their first run of the ballgame.
Team Italy answered in the bottom of the third inning with two runs to regain the 3-1 lead. Marta Gasparotto collected her second hit of the game and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Laura Vigna. Then Erika Piancastelli walked. After both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, McKenzie Barbara was granted an intentional walk to load the bases. Andrea Filler followed with a two-run single, which prompted a pitching change with reliever Dawn Bodrug entering the contest.
With two out in the top of the fourth inning, Ilaria Cacciamani gave up a single to Grace Messmer but dug deep and struck out Nicole Rivait for the third out, Canada reliever Dawn Bodrug held the Italians scoreless in the bottom of the fourth inning.
After Kelsey Harshan hit an infield single and Emma Entzminger walked in the top of the fifth inning, Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini went to the bullpen and summoned relief pitcher Alexia Lacatena. A failed bunt attempt by Janet Leung was caught by catcher Elisa Cecchetti to record the first out. Then a double play assisted by Giulia Longhi at third base ended the top of the fifth inning.
Team Italy added one run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Canada brought in relief pitcher Sam Ryan from the University of Louisiana to replace Dawn Bodrug in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Erika Piancastelli doubled, McKenzie Barbara singled and Giulia Longhi walked, Melany Sheldon hit a sharp comebacker that got away from the pitcher and allowed one run to cross the plate. Reliever Emma Entzminger replaced Sam Ryan in the pitcher’s circle. Then Giulia Koutsoyanopulos hit an RBI infield single to give the Italians a 5-1 advantage.
Canada came back in the top of the sixth inning and scored one run on a solo home run by Erika Polidori. With a 5-2 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning, Team Italy needed insurance runs. Canada tried to prevent this possibility by calling Nicola Simpson from the bullpen, but the strategy failed as Erika Piancastelli crushed a solo home run to the deepest part of the field that just missed the scoreboard. A single by McKenzie Barbara and a double by Andrea Filler followed, but a groundout by Giulia Longhi ended the inning with Team Italy ahead 6-2.
In the top of the seventh inning, reliever Alexia Lacatena struck out Callum Pilgrim before hitting Kelsey Harshman. Alessandra Rotondo made a nice catch at second base for the second out. Janet Leung singled to keep Canada alive, but a cleanup hitter Larissa Franklin popped out to shortstop Melany Sheldon to end the game with Team Italy prevailing in the 6-2 victory.
CANADA CUP STANDINGS AND SCORES
With a win over the Canadians, the Italians face second-seed TC Colorado at 6:30 pm (ET). The winner earns the right to compete in the Canada Cup Gold Medal Final against undefeated Japan at 9 pm (ET).
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
TEAM ITALY ROSTER
CANADA CUP OFFICIAL SCHEDULE
CANADA CUP PLAY OFF BRACKET
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Read also: McKenzie Barbara named Canada Cup All-Star prior to Team Italy shutting out Israel 2-0 in playoffs and advancing to semifinals
(Photo of the Team Italy prior to the Canada Cup playoff game against Canada by Roberto Angotti)
