Team Italy arrived at Surrey’s Softball City in British Columbia for a Canada Cup exhibition game against Australia A with a sense of purpose on Saturday night, July 8, 2023. Playing in honor of the late and great Azzurre softball manager Enrico Obletter, who left his imprint in both Sydney, Australia and Chieti (Abruzzo), Team Italy felt his presence on the diamond and defeated the Aussies 7-3.
The Team Italy lineup card looked like this: Marta Gasparotto, 1B; Laura VIgna, LF; Erika Piancastelli, RF; McKenzie Barbara, DP; Elisa Cecchetti, C; Andrea Filler, 2B; Melany Sheldon, SS; Giulia Longhi, 3B; Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, CF; and Alexia Lacatena, P.
Team Italy manager Federcio Pizzolini gave the ball to starter Alexia Lacatena. She looked sharp early striking out the side in the bottom of the first inning and picking up another strikeout in the bottom of the second inning after surrendering a single to Aussie cleanup hitter Madi Baker.
The game remained scoreless until the top of the third inning when the Team Italy offense came alive. Giulia Longhi doubled over Aussie centerfielder Sarah Riou's reach overhead and advanced to third base on a groundout to second by Giulia Koutsoyanopulos. Marta Gasparotto was issued a walk and advanced to second base on a passed ball. Then Erika Piancastelli delivered a two-run double to give Team Italy a 2-0 lead.
Alice Nicolini relieved starter Alexia Lacatena in the bottom of the third inning when Australia A answered with three runs courtesy of the Team Italy defense. After Alyssa Mighell singled, a series of infield throwing and receiving errors led to Australia A taking a 3-2 advantage.
The Italians came back in the top of the fourth inning and scored one run. Elisa Cecchetti led off with a single down the right field line. Melany Sheldon followed with a double down the left field line. Then Giulia Longhi hit an RBI single. Australia A went to the bullpen and summoned lefty Ashlee Harwood, who limited the damage and kept the game tied 3-3.
Alice Nicolini returned to pitch a scoreless bottom of the fourth inning. After a Rhiannon Kemp, Giulia Longhi and Melany Sheldon fielded balls perfectly to end the inning.
Team Italy played with passion in the top of the fifth inning and put two runs on the board. After Erika Piancastelli was issued a walk, slugger McKenzie Barbara drove her in with a triple down the right field line. She was thrown out at the plate on a fielder's choice by Elisa Cecchetti. Walks to Andrea Tiller and Giulia Longhi loaded the bases for Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, who was hit by a pitch to give the Italians the 5-3 lead. The Aussies called for reliever Steph Trezcinski to stop the bleeding and get Marta Gasparotto to lineout to end the half inning.
Team Italy pitcher Christina Toniolo entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning and protected the Italian two-run cushion with two strikeouts and a groundout assist by Giulia Longhi.
After a base hit by McKenzie Barbara and a double by Elisa Cecchetti in the top of the sixth inning, Andrea Filler hit a two-run single to give the Italians some insurance runs. Reliever Christina Toniolo returned to pitch a scoreless bottom of the sixth inning with one strikeout.
With a 7-3 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning, Team Italy summoned reliever Ilaria Cacciamani. She registered one strikeout in his brief inning of work to secure the win for the Azzurrre softball squad.
Team Italy returns Softball City in Surrey to face softball powerhouse Japan on day one of the week-long Canada Cup on Monday, July 10, 2023 at 6:30 pm (ET). Japan shut out Canada 4-0 in an exhibition game prior to the Team Italy-Australia A contest. Watch all the Canada Cup action at Live.CanadaCup.com
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
TEAM ITALY ROSTER
CANADA CUP OFFICIAL SCHEDULE
LIVESTREAM
Read also: Watch Team Italy and Japan livestream at Live.CanadaCup.com on July 10, 2023 at 6:30 pm (ET)
(Photo of Team Italy prior to the start of the Canada Cup exhibition game against Australia A by Roberto Angotti)
