Team Italy elite roster announced for European Softball Championship
After competing in the World Games, The Team Italy elite softball squad is currently in Anzio to prepare for the European Softball Championship from July 24-30, 2022
Fresh off the plane after a 7th place finish in the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, the Team Italy elite women's softball squad is hard at work in Anzio for five days to get ready for the 23rd edition of the European Softball Championship. The international competition takes place from July 24-30, 2022 on the Catalan diamonds of Sant Boi, Montjuic, Viladecans and Can Torellò (Barcelona), Spain. Defending champion Team Italy debuts against Poland on Sunday July 24, 2022 at 4:30 pm (local time) in Can Torellò.
Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini will be supported by senior advisor Mike Candrea, pitching coach Nancy Evans, coaches Giulio Brusa and Marta Gambella, physiotherapist Elio Paolini, team physician Dr. Alessandro Buttà, athletic trainer Francesca Ambruoso and delegation manager Claudia Venturini.
After the World Games in Alabama, Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini is encouraged by his squad's condition. He said. “The team is excellent, especially from a physical and athletic point of view. Having competed against the game’s best countries puts us in the right place for the European Softball Championship.”
Compared to the national teams of the last two European Softball Championship, the Olympic Qualifier and the Olympic Games, the women’s softball squad today is much different. With many new faces on the roster, the team is made up of young and aggressive players. Some competed in the U22 European Softball Championship, while others showcased in the World Games.
Italian softball skipper Federico Pizzolini said, “This year's roster has changed by at least 50% compared to last year. There are new additions, some of them very young, because we are laying the foundations for the national team for the next four to eight years. It is not an experimental national team. Instead, it a team built for the future, just like we have seen recently at the World Games with Canada and Mexico rejuvenating their rosters.”
The following 17 players have been selected to represent Team Italy in the European Softball Championship:
Last Name
First Name
POS
B
T
Date of Birth
Club Affiliation
1
Barbara
McKenzie Catherine
C
L
L
20/09/2001
Friul'81
2
Bartoli
Anita
SS
R
R
19/05/2004
Sestese Softball
3
Cacciamani
Ilaria
P/OF
R
R
18/03/1994
Forlì Club Softball
4
Cecchetti
Elisa
C
R
R
21/08/1995
Bollate Softball 1969
5
Fama
Amanda Lynn
SS
R
R
13/08/1989
Nuoro Softball
6
Lacatena
Alexia
P
R
R
21/10/2002
Forlì Club Softball
7
Longhi
Giulia
3B
R
R
17/01/1993
Saronno Softball Club
8
Marrone
Fabrizia
OF
L
L
10/10/1996
Saronno Softball Club
9
Nicolini
Alice
P
L
L
02/08/1995
Saronno Softball Club
10
Princic
Elisa
C
L
R
05/06/2000
Bollate Softball 1969
11
Sheldon
Melany
IF
R
R
22/04/1997
Caronno
12
Koutsoyanopulos
Giulia Metaxia
IF/OF
R
R
04/01/2002
Bollate Softball 1969
13
Bigatton
Laura
P
R
R
02/05/1997
Bollate Softball 1969
14
Rotondo
Alessandra
2B
L
R
28/03/2000
Saronno Softball Club
15
Messina Garibaldi
Bianca
P
L
L
02/03/1997
Caronno
16
Edwards
Sarah Beth
1B/C
L
L
26/06/1996
US Giovanile Collecchio Softball
17
Vigna
Laura
OF
L
L
24/01/1999
Forli Club Softball/ G.S. Esercito
Team Italy departs from Rome to Barcelona on July 21, 2022. Forza #Italia!
