The Team Italy women's softball squad beat Israel 12-2 in the European Softball Championship at Campo Municipal de Béisbol Can Torelló in Gavá (Barcelona), Spain on Monday, July 25, 2022
Israel sent out starter Ava Justman from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The lefty hurler was part of a successful Wisconsin Badgers team that defeated Georgia Tech 7-6 in an elimination game before falling to 14th-ranked Florida in the Gainesville Regional Final at the 2022 NCAA Softball Championship.
Team Italy countered with the young and talented starting pitcher Alexia Lacatena, who allowed one earned run on five hits during her six innings of work with eight strikeouts and no walks. The last time she faced Israel was in last year's European Softball Championship in Castions Di Strada. She threw a three-hitter with eight strikeouts in a four-run mercy 11-0 shutout over Israel on July 2, 2021.
Minus a single to left field by Melany Sheldon, the Team Italy offense was quiet in the top of the first inning. Pitcher Alexia Lacatena had an easy 1-2-3 out inning in the bottom of first.
The Italians got the party started in the top of the second inning with a ground rule double to right field by Elisa Cecchetti. Giulia Longhi followed with a sacrifice bunt. Sarah Edwards was issued a walk to put runners on the corners. Fabrizia Marrone slapped an RBI single to down the third base line to give Team Italy a 1-0 advantage. Then spark plug Laura Vigna delivered a two-run double to put the Italians on top 3-0.
Alexia Lacatena bounced back from control issues in the bottom of the second inning when hitting Israel cleanup hitter Tal Evans. After striking out Arizona Ritchie, she gave up a single to Alexis Jordan. Back-to-back strikeouts of Olivia Gott and Sydney Goldman ended the scoring threat.
Team Italy was hungry for more in the top of the third inning and scored twice. Consecutive walks to Melany Sheldon and McKenzie Barbara prompted an infield meeting in the pitching circle. A sacrifice bunt by Elisa Cecchetti put runners in scoring position. Then Giulia Longi delivered a two-run triple to give Team Italy the 5-0 lead.
Despite a Ruby Salzman single in the bottom of the third inning, Alexia Lacatena got good support from her defense to keep Israel off the board.
The Italians added two more runs to their commanding lead in the top of the fourth inning. Fabrizia Marrone led off with a single to left center field, stole second base and reached third base on the overthrow by the catcher. Melany Sheldon was issued a walk and McKenzie Barbara was intentionally walked to load the bases for catcher Elisa Cecchetti.
Israel went to the bullpen and summoned reliever Sydney Goldman. Then Elisa Cecchetti reached on a fielding error which allowed two runners to cross the plate and put Team Italy on top 7-0.
Alexia Lacatena looked sharp in the bottom of the fourth inning striking out the first batters she faced before surrendering a single to Alexis Kaiser. However, Israel could not do anything more.
Team Italy scored twice in the top of the fifth inning. Giulia Longhi walked, stole second base and advanced to third base on a groundout by Sarah Edwards. Then the hot-hitting Giulia Koutsoyanopulos produced an RBI single to give the Italians the 8-0 lead.
Israel scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Team Italy answered in the top of the sixth inning with four runs. Melany Sheldon led off with a single. McKenzie Barbara reached first base on a fielder's choice. Elisa Cecchetti followed with an infield single. An RBI single by Sarah Edwards yielded one run. Then a three-run home run by Giulia Koutsoyanopulos made it a 12-2 game.
ITALY-ISRAEL BOX SCORE
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Team Italy plays two round-robin games on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. The first contest against Germany takes place at 11:15 am (local time) at Camp Municipal de Sófbol de Viladecans in Viladecans (Barcelona). The Italians return for a second game against Ireland at 3:45 pm (local time). The international competition continues through Saturday, July 30, 2022. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
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