Team Italy manager Alberto D'Auria could have not asked for a better Azzurri U23 debut by starting pitcher Claudio Scotti and reliever Maurizio Andretta against defending Euro champion Czech Republic under the lights at Campo Gavagnin in Verona on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Claudio Scotti threw four innings and allowed just one unearned run on two hits with nine strikeouts and no walks. Maurizio Andretta was the stopper in three innings of relief by keeping Czech Republic scoreless with six strikeouts and giving up only a pair of hits and walks.
Team Italy scored early in the top of the first inning when Cesare Astorri was hit by a pitch and scored on an RBI double by Daniel Monti to give the Azzurri the 1-0 advantage. Czech Republic tied the game up 1-1 in the bottom of the third inning. The Italians broke the game open in the top of the seventh inning when three runs crossed the plate. After pinch-hitter Davide Meliori was issued a walk, Riccardo Bertossi drove him in with an RBI double. Then Riccardo Paolini followed with a two-run home run to put Team Italy on top 4-1.
Winning pitcher Maurizo Andretta escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh inning to earn the victory for Team Italy. The Azzurri return to Campo Gavagnin in Verona on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 2:30 pm (ET) to face France, a team shut out by Great Britain 3-0 in San Martino Buon Albergo on opening day. Forza #Italia!
BOX SCORE
by Roberto Angotti
SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
STANDINGS
STATS LEADER BOARD
(Photo of Team Italy's Davide Meliori celebrating with by his Azzurri teammates after scoring by Lynx Prod.)
