Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini took no chances against Israel in the Canada Cup at Softball City in Surrey, British Columbia on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. He called upon his young and talented starting pitcher Alexia Lacatena, who has proven to be the nemesis for Israel. In her most recent outing against the Israeli in the European Softball Championship in Gavá (Barcelona), Spain on July 25, 2022, she allowed just one earned run on five hits during her six innings of work with eight strikeouts and no walks. Prior to that in the 2021 European Softball Championship in Castions Di Strada, Italy, Alexia Lacatena threw a three-hitter with eight strikeouts in a four-run mercy 11-0 shutout over Israel.
Against Israel in the Canada Cup, the Team Italy lineup looked like this: Marta Gasparotto, SS; Alessandra Rotondo, 2B; Erika Piancastelli, C; McKenzie Barbara, DP; Andrea Filler, 1B; Giulia Longhi, 3B; Laura Vigna, LF; Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, CF; Fabrizia Marrone, RF; and Alexia Lacatena, P.
Alexia Lacatena hit the first batter she faced in the top of the second inning and it cost her as an RBI double by Amanda Licht gave Israel a 1-0 lead.
Israel sent out starter Ava Justman from the University of Central Florida and a recent transfer from Wisconsin-Madison. The lefty hurler was part of a successful Wisconsin Badgers team that defeated Georgia Tech 7-6 in an elimination game before falling to 14th-ranked Florida in the Gainesville Regional Final at the 2022 NCAA Softball Championship.
Team Italy answered in the bottom of the second inning when the hot-hitting Andrea Filler crushed a solo home run to deep center field.
The Italians chased Israel starting pitcher Ava Justman out of the ballgame in the bottom of the third inning after Giulia Koutsoyanopulos singled and Fabrizia Marrone reached second base on an infield throwing error to first. Israel reliever Robyn Wampler was roughed up immediately by a two-run double by Marta Gasparotto, an infield single by Alessandra Rotondo and a three-run bomb over the left field fence by Erika Piancastelli.Then Giulia Longhi doubled and Laura Vigna reached first on a bunt before Giulia Koutosoyanopulos hit a three-run homer off relief pitcher Payton Gottshall.
With a comfortable 9-1 advantage going into the top of the fourth inning, winning pitcher Alexia Lacatena cruised to an easy 1-2-3 out inning with one strikeout. After surrendering back-to-back singles to Tara Vandewater and Eliana Gottlieb in the top of the fifth inning, Alessandra Rotondo committed an infield error at second base which allowed one run to cross the plate. It was too little and too late for Israel as Team Italy secured the 9-2 mercy-rule victory.
CANADA CUP STANDINGS AND SCORES
The Italians return to play two games on Thursday, July 13, 2023. The first contest against TC Colorado begins at 4 pm (ET). Team Italy resumes play later on at 9 pm (ET) in game two against Greece.
Team Italy concludes round-robin action on Friday, July 14, 2023 with two more games. The first takes place at 6:30 pm (ET) when playing Australia A before the nightcap against Mexico with the first pitch scheduled for 11:30 pm (ET). The Canada Cup playoffs begin on Saturday, July 15, 2023 and finish on Sunday, July 16 with the Gold Medal Final taking place at 9 pm (ET). Watch all the action on the Canada Cup Livestream.
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
TEAM ITALY ROSTER
CANADA CUP OFFICIAL SCHEDULE
LIVESTREAM
Read also: Team Italy suffers 7-4 loss to Canada in Canada Cup
(Photo of Team Italy before the Israel game at the Canada Cup by Roberto Angotti)
