Having lost to softball powerhouse Japan 8-1 via mercy rule in six innings earlier in the day at Softball City in Surrey, British Columbia, Team Italy returned on Saturday night, July 15, 2023 to play Canada Cup fifth-seed Israel for the right to advance to the semifinals the next day. The two teams clashed earlier in round-robin action on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 when the Italians defeated Israel 9-2 in a five-inning mercy-rule game.
Prior to the start of the game, Team Italy designated player McKenzie Barbara was named 2023 Canada Cup All-Star and awarded a commemorative plaque for her outstanding offense in the international softball tournament.
Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini called on starter Alice Nicolini. Israel countered with lefty starting pitcher Robyn Wampler, who etched her name in the record books at UC San Diego ranked first in saves and second in wins and strikeouts.
Against Israel in the Canada Cup playoffs, the Team Italy lineup looked like this: Marta Gasparotto, 1B; Laura Vigna, LF; Erika Piancastelli, RF; McKenzie Barbara, DP; Andrea Filler, 2B; Giulia Longhi, 3B; Melany Sheldon, SS; Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, CF; and Alice Nicolini, P.
The Team Italy offense missed out on an opportunity in the top of the first inning when Marta Gasparotto, Laura Vigna doubled and McKenzie Barbara walked but were all left stranded on the bases without scoring.
Italian starting pitcher Alice Nicolini set the tone early, striking out the side in the bottom of the first inning. Despite Giulia Koutsoyanopulos reaching first on an infield single in the top of the second inning, Team Italy once again came up empty.
Alice Nicolini went back to work in the bottom of the second inning, holding Israel scoreless with one more strikeout. Team Italy got to pitcher Robyn Wampler in the top of the third inning when Laura Vigna led off with a solo home run over the center field fence to give the Italians a slim 1-0 advantage.
Azzurre pitcher Alice Nicolini looked dominant in the bottom of the third inning, striking out Amanda Licht before surrendering a single to Maddy Lewis. Ruby Salzman reached on a fielder’s choice but was thrown out at third base on an accurate throw from Marta Gasparotto after Eliana Salzman legged out an infield single.
Protecting a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, Alice Nicolini and her defense kept Israel off the bases. Giulia Koutsoyanopulos got a great jump on a ball hit to shallow center field by Emily Valtman for the first out. Then Alice Nicolini assisted in a groundout by Payton Bottshall and struck out Tara Vandewater to end the inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, Marta Gasparotto crushed a solo home run to center field to give Team Italy a 2-0 cushion.
Alice Nicolini blanked Israel in the bottom of the fifth inning. Team Italy collected a pair of hits in the top of the sixth inning, but the Italians could not cash in. McKenzie Barbara led off with a single, but Andrea Filler lined into a double play at first. Giulia Longhi followed with a double to center field but was left on second base.
Alice Nicolini struck out leadoff hitter Ruby Salzman in the bottom of the sixth inning before giving up a single to Eliana Gottlieb. She regained her composure quickly and got strikeouts of Emily Valtman and Payton Gottshall to end the inning.
Winning pitcher Alice Nicolini returned to throw a scoreless bottom of the seventh inning to secure the 2-0 shutout over Israel and send Team Italy to the Canada Cup semifinals.
CANADA CUP STANDINGS AND SCORES
The Azzurre softball squad continues in the Canada Cup playoffs on Sunday, July 16, 2023 beginning at 4 pm (ET) against third-seed Canada. With a win over the Canadians, the Italians would face second-seed TC Colorado immediately following at 6:30 pm (ET). Another win over the American D1 collegiate all-star team would earn Team Italy the right to compete in the Canada Cup Gold Medal Final against undefeated Japan 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
CANADA CUP PLAY OFF BRACKET
LIVESTREAM
Read also: Despite 8-1 loss to Japan, Team Italy is still alive in Canada Cup playoffs
(Photo of the Team Italy slugger McKenzie Barbara and manager Federico Pizzolini after the Azzurre designated player was awarded Canada Cup All-Star prior to the playoff game against Israel by Roberto Angotti)
