Week two puts the success of Padova to the test

Week two of the 2014 addition of the Italian Baseball League will get underway on Friday evening in both the north and south of the country. Getting started with Division B down in Nettuno, the city will get a chance to see both their clubs in action when both Nettuno and Nettuno2 take the field against each other in a two game set on Friday and Saturday evening. Both clubs walked away with one victory apiece a week ago, with Nettuno taking down the mighty Pirates, and Nettuno2 taking down Parma. With all of the question marks heading into the season this year, the loyal fans of the ‘City of Baseball’ will finally get a chance to sit back and take in a ball game.  Going for Nettuno on the bump will most likely be the same two as a week ago, Yuri Morellini and Lorenzo. Manager Scerrato will also have another name to pick from out of his pen this week with the arrival of Frailyn Florian.  On Nettuno2’s side it should once again be Pizziconi and Gonzalez who get the nod. The other series in Division B of the IBL will feature Lino’s Coffee Parma and the Rimini Pirates in a home away series. The two clubs will first faceoff in Parma on Friday night where the home team will be without the likes of Giannetti (suspended) and Poma (out 2-3 weeks with a shoulder injury). With the two absences in the Parma’s lineup, look for Fanfoni to fill in at second, and Imperiali to move to the outfield. The two starters on the weekend will be Sanchez and Rivera. On the other side of the field the Rimini Pirates will have to do without the likes of their Italian starter, Roberto Corradini, who will most likely be missing the next 2 to 3 weeks with shoulder problems. With the absence of Corradini look for Sandy Patrone to get the nod in the Italian game, while in the foreign game it will be Ekstroem.

In Division A the only undefeated club left in the IBL, Bologna, will face off with Padova in a home away series on Friday evening in Bologna and Saturday in Padova. Going for Bologna will once again be Panerati in the Italian game and Williamson in the foreign game. On the other side of the field look for Padova to play with something to prove, especially after taking one from the defending IBL champs just a week ago in San Marino. Going for Padova in the foreign game will be the combo of Uviedo and Acosta, while in the Italian game their could be a change… Faccini for Crepaldi. As for the other series in Division A, T&A San Marino will not be able to count on two of their regulars, as both Pantaleoni and Bittar will be out of the lineup for at least another week.  Returning to the lineup card will be Mattia Reginato who will be getting the start in right field on Friday evening in Godo. Going in the Italian game will be Cooper, while in the foreign game in will once again be the flamethrower, Junior Guerra. On the other side of the ball look for Galeotti to go in the Italian Game, and the combo of Calero and Ribeiro in the foreign game.