Team Italy beats Czech Republic but loses to the Dutch in the Women's European Softball Championship

Team Italy beats Czech Republic but loses to the Dutch in the Women's European Softball Championship
28/07/2022
The Team Italy women's softball squad defeated Czech Republic 13-1 and lost to Kingdom of the Netherlands 3-2 in the European Softball Championship at Estadio Municipal de Sófbol Antonio Hervás in Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain on Thursday, July 28, 2022

The Team Italy women's softball squad beat Czech Republic 13-1 early in the day and returned at night to suffer a 3-2 loss to Kingdom of the Netherlands in the European Softball Championship at Estadio Municipal de Sófbol Antonio Hervás in Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain on Thursday, July 28, 2022.

Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini sent out starter Alexia Lacatena to combat the Czechs. The young and talented pitcher rebounded from her 2-1 loss to Great Britain the day prior and threw 3.2 innings. She gave up just one run on seven hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Reliever Alice Nicolini tossed 1.1 scoreless innings and allowed two hits in the five-inning mercy-rule victory.

Czech Republic countered with starting pitcher Veronika Peckova, who surrendered four runs on four hits during her two inning appearance with three strikeouts and two walks. She did not fare any better than the last time she faced Team Italy in the 2021 European Softball Championship in Castions Di Strada. She lost that contest by issuing five runs on five hits with 14 strikeouts and two walks in a 5-0 shutout to the Italians on June 30, 2021.

Team Italy got on the board early in the top of the first inning. Amanda Fama singled, advanced to second base on a groundout by Melany Sheldon and scored on an RBI single from McKenzie Barbara.

The Italians took a 4-0 lead in the top of the third inning. The speedy Fabrizia Marrone legged out an infield single, and Laura Vigna walked. Amanda Fama followed with a two-run single. After a walk to Melany Sheldon, Czech Republic starter Veronika Peckova was replaced in the circle by reliever Katelyn Humhej. She issued a walk to the dangerous Team Italy cleanup hitter McKenzie Barbara to load the bases for Elisa Cecchetti, who delivered a sacrifice fly to right field to allow Amanda Fama to cross the plate.

Czech Republic scored its only run of the ballgame in the bottom of the third inning after Barra Saviola singled, stole second base and scored on an RBI single from Gabriela Slaba.

Team Italy put the game away via mercy rule with a nine-run offensive frenzy in the top of the fifth inning. After Amanda Fama doubled and Melany Sheldon walked, slugger McKenzie Barbara hit a three-run home run.

Czech Republic reliever Katelyn Humhej was replaced by Anna Zoulova. Elisa Cecchetti singled, advanced to second base on a sacrifice by Giulia Longhi, moved to third base on a single by pinch hitter Elisa Princic and scored on a double from Giulia Koutsoyanopulos. Fabrizia Marrone followed with an RBI single. Then Laura Vigna hit an RBI ground rule double, and Melany Sheldon slammed a three-run home run over the left field fence to make it a 13-1 game.

ITALY-CZECH REPUBLIC BOX SCORE

ITALY-CZECH REPUBLIC LIVESTREAM REPLAY

Team Italy came back later in the day to play Kingdom of the Netherlands under the lights. The Dutch were looking for revenge after losing to the Italians 9-5 in the 2021 European Softball Championship Gold Medal Game in Castions Di Strada on July 3, 2021. Starting lefty pitcher Eva Voortman showed promise striking out the side in the top of the first inning but fell victim to a solo home run by Team Italy catcher Elisa Cecchetti in the top of the second inning.

Kingdom of the Netherlands answered in the bottom of the second inning when scoring two runs and knocking Team Italy starter Ilaria Cacciamani out of the ballgame. Dinet Oosting hit a ground rule double and crossed the plate on a single down the middle by Laura Wissink. The wheels fell off the bus from that point on for Ilaria Cacciamani. An ensuing walk, fielder's choice and throwing error to first base by the pitcher yielded another run for the Dutch.

Team Italy reliever Alice Nicolini was summoned from the bullpen to stop the bleeding. After an initial walk, she bounced back with two strikeouts to end the second inning. During the remainder of the game, Alice Nicolini threw her heart out pitching 4.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts prior to the fatal bottom of the seventh inning. A walk-off home run to Kingdom of the Netherlands second baseman Suka Van Gurp was the difference that gave the Dutch the 3-2 victory over the Italians.

ITALY-NETHERLANDS BOX SCORE

ITALY-NETHERLANDS LIVESTREAM REPLAY

Team Italy returns to Estadio Municipal de Sófbol Antonio Hervás in Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona on Friday, July 29, 2022 for a game against Spain at 6 pm (local time). The Gold and Bronze Medal Games are scheduled for Saturday, July 30, 2022. Forza #Italia!

by Roberto Angotti

EUROPEAN SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS AND SCHEDULE

EUROPEAN SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP LIVESTREAM

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(Photo of Team Italy celebrating after Melany Sheldon hit a three-run home run against Czech Republic in the 2022 European Softball Cjhampionship by Ezio Ratti/Nadoc)