Despite a two-run home run by Dario Pizzano followed by a solo homer from Vito Frescia in the top of the first inning to give Team Italy an early 3-0 lead over Israel in the European Baseball Championship semifinals in Avigliana on Friday, September 17, 2021, the Italians were defeated 11-5 in the end. Team Italy will battle for the bronze medal against Spain in Torino on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 3 pm (local time), while Israel and Kingdom of the Netherlands clash in the Euro Baseball Championship final later at 8:30 pm. All games are streaming live at www.BaseballSoftball.tv

With a slim 4-2 advantage over Croatia in the bottom of the eighth inning, Team Italy three-hole hitter Dario Pizzano slugged a three-run homer and Vito Friscia followed with a solo shot to put the game out of reach and advance the Azzurri squad to the European Baseball Championship semifinals

Undefeated Team Italy (3-0) plays Croatia (2-1) in the European Baseball Championship quarterfinals at Valter Aluffi Stadium in Settimo Torinese on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 3 pm (local Italian time)

Azzurri slugger Vito Friscia hit a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning to enforce the mercy rule in the 14-1 Team Italy victory over Austria in the European Baseball Championship in Avigliana on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Undefeated Team Italy (3-0) now advances to the Euro quarterfinals against Croatia on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 3 pm (local time) in Settimo Torinese.

On day two of the European Baseball Championship in Torino, Team Italy defeated Belgium 14-3 via mercy rule in seven innings. Azzurri captain Alberto Mineo hit a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to nail the coffin shut on Belgium when closer Matteo Bocchi got the third out in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Team Italy starting pitcher Claudio Scotti threw five hitless innings with nine strikeouts and one walk to shut down Greece in the European Baseball Championship in Settimo Torinese on Sunday afternoon, September 12, 2021. The Azzurri offense combined for 10 hits to win 13-3 via mercy rule in seven innings.

For the first time in the 67-year history of the European Baseball Championship, sixteen teams will compete in a total of 48 games in Piemonte on the diamonds of Torino, Settimo Torinese and Avigliana

The Italian senior national baseball team won its first of 10 European Championship titles in 1954, while Kingdom of the Netherlands has won the Euro throne 23 times since 1956. Having not won the European Baseball Championship for nine years, Team Italy under the guidance of Azzurri manager Mike Piazza will attempt to reclaim the Euro Baseball Championship title on its home turf in Piemonte on the diamonds of Torino, Settimo Torinese and Avigliana from September 12-19, 2021.

Azzurri manager Mike Piazza visited the Candiolo Institute, European Baseball Championship Charity Partner, and met Candiolo President Allegra Agnelli prior to boarding his flight to New York for the commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the horrific 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers at Citi Field

The Serie A1 postseason starts on Friday, September 10, 2021 with the first two quarterfinal games between MKF Bollate and Pianoros Softball followed by a third contest on Saturday. The other quarterfinal matchup between Poderi Dal Nespoli Forlì and Rhevandors Caronno takes place on Saturday, September 11 (games 1 and 2) and Sunday, September 12 (game 3). In addition, the first two games of the best-of-five series playout between Lacomes New Bollate and Caserta happen on Sunday.