Learning to expect the unexpected in the IBL

The first phase of the 2014 Italian Baseball League had been taken for granted by many, however this new formula has instead continued to surprise. Thus far after three weeks of play it has been the pitching that has absolutely dominated opposing offenses, thus making the difference in the so-called favorites falling to the underdogs. Now that the first three weeks are over there are certain teams that find themselves in difficult situation heading into interleague play with a limited time to turn things around before the conclusion of first phase of the IBL.

In Division A the three time defending IBL Champs currently find themselves in unfamiliar territory, tied with Padova with a 2 and 4 record after dropping two games to UnipolSai Bologna on Friday and Saturday evening. In game one of the two game series the coin could have dropped either way, as both teams foreigners (Guerra for San Marino and Williamson for Bologna) were absolutely dominant on the bump. In the end it was a costly error committed by Vasquez at short that flipped the game in favor of Bologna. In game two of the two game series that took place in Bologna on Saturday evening, those in attendance saw the veteran Jairo Ramos Gizzi (San Marino) reach 1000 career hits in the IBL, but the results that the fan were more interested in was without a doubt the series sweep that took place, thus giving Bologna (5-1) a firm grip on the top spot in the standings at the end of the first three weeks of the season. It’s now gut check time for the 2013 IBL Champs, as without a swift turnaround any hopes a four peat will quickly fade away before the summer even hits. Elsewhere in the division the Godo Knights took two from Padova, which now means that it is they who control the second spot in the division.. a surprise to many to say the least. On Friday evening Godo showed their never say die attitude with an impressive 9^th inning comeback, as it was their Italians that took down Padova’s foreign mound. On Saturday evening the cards definitely shifted Godo’s way with Calero and Ribeiro on the bump, as the two paired up for the 4 to 1 victory. Now moving into interleague play, which begins on Friday, they will get to test their .500 record against the clubs in the IBL’s Division B.

In Division B of the IBL it is both Rimini and Nettuno that sit at the top of the standings with 4 and 2 marks. This past weekend it was Rimini that got the best of Nettuno2 with the two game sweep in Rimini. Game one turned out to be a blowout with the final of 13-0, however game two’s final of 6-1 was a closer fought battle then what suggests the final run count. When the dust settled it was the exertion the bats of Santora, Romero and Chiarini that lifted the Pirates past the efforts of Nettuno2. Down in Nettuno it was Parma that got the best of the home team on Friday evening when they sent the duo of Sanchez and Yepez to the mound. 8 to 1 was the final in this one with Munoz’s club coming out with a huge moral victory on the road. In game two the winds shifted in favor of Nettuno, as Parma was not able to recuperate from a slow start which saw Gradali give up 3 runs in the bottom of the 1^st. Picking up the win for Nettuno in their 4-3 victory was the teams newest acquisition, the southpaw Florian. Nettuno’s victory now means that the team out of Lazio is now in a deadlock at the top of the standing along side Rimini in Division B.