The Team Italy women’s softball squad got an early wake-up call on day one of the Canada Cup at Softball City in Surrey when facing reigning Olympic champion Japan on Monday, July 10, 2023. Azzurre manager Federico Pizzolini, Team Italy senior advisor Mike Candrea and pitching coach Nancy Evans did everything possible to prepare the elite softball squad for this daunting challenge. However, the Japanese were like a well-oiled machine firing on all cylinders and defeated the Italians 8-0 in six innings on this day in British Columbia.
Team Italy sent out ace Alexia Lacatena, who sought revenge after losing the battle against Japan in the Tokyo Olympic Games at Yokohama Stadium on July 24, 2021. The University of Kentucky pitching sensation threw three scoreless innings in Japan before Yu Yamamoto hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning. The Japanese went on to win 5-0.
Japan countered in the Canada Cup with starter Sakura Miwa. The only active Italian players who got base hits against the Japanese when the two teams clashed two years ago in the Olympics were Laura Vigna and Andrea Filler (off reliever Miu Goto, who tossed five scoreless innings in Tokyo).
The Team Italy lineup card for the Canada Cup debut looked like this: Marta Gasparotto, 1B; Laura VIgna, LF; Erika Piancastelli, RF; McKenzie Barbara, DP; Elisa Cecchetti, C; Andrea Filler, 2B; Melany Sheldon, SS; Giulia Longhi, 3B; Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, CF; and Alexia Lacatena, P.
After surrendering a leadoff single in the bottom of the first inning by Ayane Nakagawa, pitcher Alexia Lacatena dug down deep and got two strikeouts and some help from centerfielder Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, who made a spectacular diving catch.
In the bottom of the second inning, Hitomi Kawabata singled, advanced to third base on a single by Kanna Kudo and later scored on an infield error for the first run of the game. Catcher Elisa Cecchetti gunned down Kanna Kudo at second base on a stolen base attempt, but shortstop Melany Sheldon was injured on the play. As a result, Marta Gasparotto moved over to shortstop, Andrea Filller shifted to first base and Alessandra Rotondo entered the game at second base.
Down 1-0 in the top of the third inning, Team Italy captain Giulia Longhi singled but was left stranded on base. The Italians threatened again in the top of the fourth inning when Erika Piancastelli singled to right field and advanced to third base on a single by Elisa Cecchetti. However, Team Italy came up empty.
Three consecutive singles by Hitorni Kawabata, Kanna Kodo and Yiu Nakamizo followed by a three-run home run Haruka Sumitani chased Alexia Lacatena out of the ballgame in the bottom of the fourth inning. With a 5-0 deficit, Team Italy reliever Alice Nicolini was summoned and successfully ended the offensive rally.
Alessandra Rotondo singled in the top of the fifth inning, but the Italians were once again unable to capitalize. Alice Nicolini pitched a scoreless bottom of the fifth inning to keep the game close, but she allowed four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. An RBI single by Haruka Agatsuma followed by a two-run home run by Ayane Nakagawa ended the 8-0 shutout via mercy rule.
CANADA CUP SCORES AND STANDINGS
Team Italy returns on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 9 pm (ET) for a battle against host Canada. Then the Azzurre women’s softball team go head-to-head with Israel on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 2:30 pm (ET). The Italians 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 defeats Australia 7-3 in Canada Cup exhibition game
(Photo of Team Italy shortstop Melany Sheldon against Japan in the Canada Cup by Paul Yates)
