Team Italy beats Peru then loses to Chinese Taipei at U15 Softball World Cup
After falling victim to a no-hitter to Japan the day prior, Team Italy rebounded with a 7-4 win over Peru before losing 4-2 to Chinese Taipei in the U15 Softball Cup at the Setagaya City Okura Sports Center on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. The Italians are now relegated to the 7-12 placement round and travel to nearby Komazawa Olympic Park Sports Complex for a game against Czech Republic on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 2 pm (local time).
Against Peru in the first of two day games, Team Italy U15 manager Maristella Perizzolo gave the ball to starting pitcher Giulia Squalizza. She picked up the win by limiting Peru to three runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks in four innings of work. Reliever Federica Forlani pitched three impressive innings and allowed just one run on five hits with four strikeouts.
The Team Italy offense went right to work in the bottom of the first inning when scoring three runs. After Giulia Colino and Giulia Calzolari reached base on defensive errors, Letizia Giunchi hit an RBI bunt single to third base and Giulia Calzolari crossed the plate on an ensuing wild pitch by Peru starter Brianna Vick. Letizia Giunchi also scored on a sacrifice bunt by Giorgia Colino.
Peru answered with two runs in the top of the second inning and tied the contest when adding one run in the top of the third inning. The Italians regained the 4-3 lead after putting up one run on the board in the bottom of the third inning. Alida Campioni walked, advanced to second base when Giorgia Colino also walked, stole third base and scored on a fielder’s choice by Rebecca Soldi.
Team Italy rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Martina De Agostini singled, moved to second when Giulia Colino walked, advanced to third when Giulia Calzolari reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a wild pitch. Both Giulia Colino and Giulia Calzolari later crossed the plate on a two-run single from Letizia Giunchi. Peru made a valiant effort at a comeback in the top of the fifth inning but came up short only scoring once to make it a 7-4 game.
Team Italy returned for an afternoon game against Chinese Taipei. The Italians jumped out in front 2-0 in the top of the first inning. After back-to-back singles by Giulia Calzolari and Alida Campioni, a throwing error by the catcher on a stolen base attempt pushed one across for Team Italy. Then Letizia Giunchi singled to right field and Giorgia Colina grounded out to produce the second run.
Chinese Taipei answered in the bottom of the first inning with two runs off starting pitcher Giulia Squalizza to tie the game 2-2. The Italian starter held her opponent scoreless for the four innings. Chinese Taipei took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when a leadoff single by Ruo-Xin Xu prompted a pitching change. Reliever Federica Forlani entered the contest and Kai-Hua Zeng hit a two-run home run to make it a 4-2 game. An infield single by Caterina Turci in the top of the seventh inning was not enough in the top of the seventh inning and Team Italy came up short in the 4-2 loss.
Team Italy travels to nearby Komazawa Olympic Park Sports Complex for a 7-12 placement round game against Czech Republic on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 2 pm (local time).
(Photo of Team Italy’s Letizia Giunchi against Peru at the U15 Softball World Cup on October 24, 2023 courtesy of World Baseball Softball Confederation)
