Team Italy softball squad suffers 7-0 shutout to Puerto Rico in the World Games
In search of its first win of the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, the Team Italy women's softball squad came up empty and endured a 7-0 shutout to Puerto Rico at Hoover Met Stadium on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
Team Italy softball manager Federico Pizzolini put together a lineup card that looked like this: Laura Vigna, LF; Fabrizia Marrone, RF; Amanada Fama, SS; Giulia Longhi, 3B; Elisa Cecchetti, C; Melany Sheldon, 2B; Sarah Edwards, 1B; Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, CF; Alessandra Rotondo, DP; and Ilaria Cacciamani, P.
Puerto Rico starting pitcher Aleshia Ocasio kept the Team Italy offense quiet for most of the contest. She threw three scoreless innings and allowed two hits. Reliever Xeana Dung pitched scoreless fourth and fifth innings while giving up just one hit.
Last seen throwing two innings as the starter against Canada two days prior, Team Italy starting pitcher Ilaria Cacciamani got hit hard in the bottom of the first inning and surrendered two runs. With one out, the Italian starter gave up a home run to Carsyn Gordon. Then Jena Cozza reached first base on an error by shortstop Amanda Fama. Karla Claudio followed with a single.
Team Italy pitching coach Nancy Evans raced out to the circle to have a conference with the infielders. Despite the fact the Italians would give up another run, Team Italy came up with an interesting way to get a double play to stop the bleeding.
Puerto Rico's Jaimie Hoover hit a line drive single off the glove of third baseman Giulia Longhi. The ball drifted into left field, and shortstop Amanda Fama hustled to retrieve it while one run crossed the plate. When Karla Claudio tried to advance to third base, Amanda Fama fired a strike to Giulia Longhi. She immediately applied the tag on the runner at third base and threw the ball to second baseman Melany Sheldon, who tagged out an oblivious Jaimie Hoover to complete the double play and end the inning.
Puerto Rico added five runs in the bottom of the second inning. Things went from bad to worse in a matter of minutes. Janelle Martinez bunted and reached second base on pitcher Ilaria Cacciamani's overthrow to first base. Three consecutive walks to Daniele Rivera, Aleshia Ocasio and Carsyn Gordan yielded another run for Puerto Rico. A two-run double by Jenna Cozza knocked out starter Ilaria Cacciamani and put Puerto Rico on top 5-0.
Reliever Alice Nicolini entered the ballgame and shortly thereafter another Team Italy infield error allowed two more runs to cross the plate for Puerto Rico. Alice Nicolini regained her composure and struck out Jaime Hoover to end the scoring frenzy with Puerto Rico leading 7-0.
Team Italy appeared to be on a verge of a big one-out rally in the top of the third inning, but the Italians came up short. Giulia Koutsoyanopulos and Alessandra Rotondo singled and Laura Vigna was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Fabrizia Marrone. Puerto Rico pitcher Aleshia Ocasio dug deep and struck out Fabrizia Marrone before getting Amanda Fama to flyout for the third out.
Late in the game, the Team Italy offense was limited to a single by Melany Sheldon in the top of the fourth inning.
Reliever Laura Bigatton entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning and escaped a dangerous bases-loaded jam. First baseman Sarah Edwards looked good catching a line- drive out from Aleshia Ocasio. Then third baseman Giulia Longhi showed defense prowess charging a ball and throwing out the speedy runner at first for the second out.
Things got sketchy for Team Italy when second baseman Melany Sheldon lost a pop fly in the Alabama sun to put a baserunner on first. Then pitcher Laura Bigatton gave up a double and a walk to load the bases for pinch-hitter Shaslyanne Ortiz, who grounded to second to end the scoring threat.
Team Italy could not produce any offense in the top of the fifth inning game so the game was declared over via mercy rule with the Puerto Rico 7-0 shutout.
Team Italy returns for a game against Mexico to determine 7th and 8th place in the World Games on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 10 am (CT). Forza #Italia!
THE WORLD GAMES 2022 SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy pitcher Alice Nicolini against Puerto Rico in the World Games 2022 by Simone Amaduzzi Photography)
