Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini put all his trust in starting pitcher Christina Toniolo, and she did not disappoint, throwing two scoreless innings and allowing just one hit with three strikeouts and one walk against Greece. The Team Italy lineup looked like this: Marta Gasparotto, C; Alessandra Rotondo, 2B; Erika Piancastelli, RF; McKenzie Barbara, DP; Andrea Filler, SS; Giulia Longhi, 3B; Elisa Cecchetti, 1B; Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, CF; Laura Vigna, LF; and Christina Toniolo, P.
Greece countered with starting pitcher Kyla Benz, who helped Canada win the bronze medal in the 2016 WBSC XV Women's World Softball Championship.
The Team Italy offense went right to work in the top of the first inning. With two out, Erika Piancastelli was issued a walk and stole second base. Cleanup hitter McKenzie Barbara followed with a two-run blast over the right field fence to give Team Italy a 2-0 advantage.
The relentless Azzurre offense added six runs in the top of the second inning. Elisa Cecchetti doubled and Giulia Koutsoyanopulos walked before Laura Vigna delivered a base-clearing triple.
Greece went to the bullpen for reliever Chelsea Runyon. Marta Gasparotto got to second base on an infield error while Laura Vigna crossed the plate. Alessandra Rotondo reached first base on a fielding error by pitcher Chelsea Runyon. Then Marta Gasparotto scored on an attempted pick-off throwing error by catcher Zoe Stavrou. Erika Piancastelli followed with a walk. Then the hot-hitting McKenzie Barbara delivered a two-run single to make it a 8-0 game.
Team Italy added eight runs in the top of the third inning, After Giulia Koutsoyanopulos and Laura Vigna hit back-to-back solo home runs. reliever Loren Stavrou replaced Chelsea Runyon and faced Marta Gasparotto, who kept the offensive rally going with a single. Alessandra Rotondo followed with a single of her own. Then Erika Piancastelli crushed a three-run homer to the deepest part of the field.
The Italians were not done scoring as McKenzie Barbara singled up the middle. She was replaced on the bases by Fabrizia Marrone. Anita Bartoli got in on the action with a single to right field. Then Melany Sheldon made her first appearance since injuring herself and delivered a two-run triple. Elisa Cecchetti connected with an RBI double to give Team Italy a 16-0 lead.
Reliever Ilaria Cacciamani entered the ballgame in the bottom of the third inning and allowed one hit with one strikeout to end the game via mercy rule.
CANADA CUP STANDINGS AND SCORES
Team Italy concludes round-robin action on Friday, July 14, 2023 with two more games. The first takes place at 6:30 pm (ET) when playing Australia A before the nightcap against Mexico with the first pitch scheduled for 11:30 pm (ET). The Canada Cup playoffs begin on Saturday, July 15, 2023 and finish on Sunday, July 16 with the Gold Medal Final taking place 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
LIVESTREAM
Read also: Team Italy edged 2-1 by undefeated TC Colorado in Canada Cup
(Photo of Team Italy slugger Erika Piancastelli before hitting a three-run home run against Greece game at the Canada Cup by Roberto Angotti)
