Team Italy suffers 7-4 loss to Canada in Canada Cup
After enduring an 8-0 six-inning mercy-rule loss to softball powerhouse Japan the day prior, Team Italy sought redemption against host Canada at Softball City in Surrey on Tuesday night, July 11, 2023. Going into the game against the Italians, the undefeated Canadians had wins over Australia A (9-0, 5 innings) and Greece (7-2 ).
When the teams met in the Tokyo Olympics at Yokahama Stadium on July 26, 2021, Canada limited Team Italy to one run on four hits to win by a score of 8-1 in a mercy-rule six-inning victory. The Azzurre softball squad scored its only run in the international competition when Laura Vigna doubled and later crossed the plate on Erika Piancastelli’s second single of the game. Andrea Filler also singled in the contest.
With only seven members returning from the Tokyo Olympics roster, Canada showcased some promising new talent against Team Italy at the Canada Cup. Starting Canada pitcher Morgan Rackel faced the following Italian lineup: Marta Gasparotto, SS; Alessandra Rotondo, 2B; Erika Piancastelli, RF; McKenzie Barbara, DP; Elisa Cecchetti, C; Andrea Filler, 1B; Giulia Longhi, 3B; Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, CF; Fabrizia Marrone, LF; and Ilaria Cacciamani, P. Shortstop Melany Sheldon was listed as day-to-day after injuring her hand in the game against Japan.
Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini gave the ball to starting pitcher Ilaria Cacciamani, who started against Canada at the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama on July 10, 2022 and surrendered four runs on four hits with one strikeout and two walks in two innings of work. Canada went on to defeat Team Italy 10-4. However, this was a new look for Team Italy in the Canada Cup as Italian sluggers Erika Piancastelli, Marta Gasparotto, Andrea Filler and McKenzie Barbara did not participate at the World Games.
Canada countered with starting left-handed hurler Morgan Rackel, who was recently selected to pitch at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. In the top of the first inning, Alessandra Rotondo singled to right field and McKenzie Barbara walked but both runners were left stranded on the bases.
Team Italy starter Ilaria Cacciamani had control issues early in the bottom of the first inning as she hit Kelsey Harshman, who crossed the plate on an RBI double by Emma Entzminger. Zoe Hicks followed with an infield single. Then Ilaria Cacciamani struck out cleanup hitter Erika Polidori on a wicked changeup. An RBI single by Janet Leung gave Canada a 2-0 advantage. After issuing a walk to Kianna Jones and loading the bases, reliever Christina Toniolo was summoned by Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini. Callum Pilgrim connected with an RBI single to right field on the first pitch. Then Sara Groenewegan hit into a double play assisted by Giulia Longhi to limit the damage with Canada leading 3-0.
Team Italy missed out on another opportunity to score in the top of the second inning after Giulia Longhi singled and Giulia Koutsoyanopulos reached on an infield error. Pitcher Christina Toniolo returned for an easy 1-2-3 out bottom of the second inning.
The Italians finally got on the board in the top of the third inning when McKenzie Barbara slammed a solo mammoth home run that cleared the right field fence and tent. Canada answered with two runs in the bottom of the third inning with a home run over the left field fence by Janet Leung followed by a pair of fielding errors by the Team Italy defense which put the Canadians on top 5-1.
Canada took a 7-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning after Kelsey Harshman singled up the middle and Emma Entzminger hit a two-run homer. Then reliever Alice Nicolini entered the ballgame and replaced Christina Toniolo.
Canada also made a move and brought in reliever Morgan Reimer to pitch in the top of the fifth inning. A change of scenery worked for the Team Italy offense as a walk to Fabrizia Marrone, an RBI double by Marta Gasparotto and an RBI single by Alessandra Rotondo made it a 7-3 game. Alessandra Rotondo advanced to second base on a sacrifice fly by Erika Piancastelli and later scored on an RBI single by McKenzie Barbara to cut down the deficit to three with the score 7-4.
Alice Nicolini returned to pitch a scoreless bottom of the fifth inning. Team Italy put up one run in the top of the fifth inning. After Giulia Koutsoyanopulos led off with a walk and Fabrizia Marrone legged out an infield single, Canada went to the bullpen and brought in Ruby Anderson, who pitched 1.2 innings against Team Italy at the World Games in 2022 and allowed three earned runs on four hits (home runs by Giulia Longhi and Laura Vigna and singles by Fabrizia Marrone and Laura Vigna) with two strikeouts.
A year later in the Canada Cup, Ruby Anderson would fare better against Team Italy. Giulia Koutsoyanopulos advanced to third base on a sacrifice fly by Marta Gasparotto and Fabrizia Marrone moved over to second base on a foul out to left field by Alessandra Rotondo. With two runners in scoring position, Erika Piancastelli grounded out to short to end the Team Italy rally.
Reliever Alice Nicolini kept Canada off the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning to keep the game close. Team Italy was unable to get any traction in the top of the seventh inning, and Canada prevailed in the 7-4 victory.
CANADA CUP STANDINGS AND SCORES
Team Italy returns on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 2:30 pm (ET) for a clash against Israel. The Italians play two games on Thursday, July 13, 2023. The first contest against TC Colorado begins at 4 pm (ET). Team Italy resumes play later on at 9 pm (ET) in game two against Greece.
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
Read also: Team Italy loses Canada Cup debut to Japan 8-0
(Photo of Team Italy before the game against Canada in the Canada Cup by Roberto Angotti)
