Having defeated Czech Republic 13-1 just two days prior in the Women's Softball European Championship, Team Italy returned to Estadio Municipal de Sófbol Antonio Hervás in Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain on Saturday, July 30, 2022 to beat the Czechs again by a score of 4-2 to win the Euro Bronze Medal and qualify for the first stage of the WBSC World Cup (along with top two finishers Great Britain and Kingdom of the Netherlands).
Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini sent out starter Alexia Lacatena to combat the Czechs. The young and talented pitcher was rushed back after throwing four innings the day prior in the 10-1 victory over Spain. She gave up just two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks in six innings of work. Reliever Alice Nicolini threw a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts to pick up the save.
Czech Republic countered with starting pitcher Veronika Peckova, who surrendered four runs on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks during her two inning appearance against the Italians on July 28, 2022. In the battle for the bronze, she was on the hook for three runs on four hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Czech Republic got on the board early in the top of the first inning with two runs. Team Italy answered with one run in the bottom of the first inning when Amanda Fama hit a solo home run.
Team Italy came back from a one run deficit in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game 2-2. Elisa Cecchetti led off with a single. Laura Vigna worked the count for a walk. Giulia Longhi hit an infield bunt single. Then Sarah Edwards exercised patience at the plate for a walk to tie the game 2-2.
Sarah Edwards once again showed great plate discipline and walked to start a two-out rally in the bottom of the fourth inning. Giulia Koutsoyanopulos followed with a walk of her own. Czech Republic went to the bullpen for reliever Katelyn Humhej. Then Fabrizia Marrone legged out an infield single to load the bases for Amanda Fama. who hit an RBI infield single to give the Italians a slim 3-2 lead.
Team Italy added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning. McKenzie Barbara led off with a single. She was replaced on the bases by pinch runner Anita Bartoli. Then Elisa Cecchetti connected with a double.
The Czechs made another pitching move by bringing in reliever Anna Zoulova to face Team Italy spark plug Laura Vigna, who was hit by the pitch to lead the bases for Giulia Longhi. She delivered a sacrifice fly to allow Anita Bartoli to cross the plate and make it a 4-2 game.
CZECH REPUBLIC-ITALY BOX SCORE
CZECH REPUBLIC-ITALY LIVESTREAM REPLAY
With the 4-2 victory over Czech Republic, Team Italy wins the European Softball Championship Bronze Medal and qualifies for the first stage of the WBSC World Cup. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
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