Team Italy sought revenge against Philippines after having suffered a walk-off 6-5 loss to the Southeast Asian nation the day prior. This time around Azzurre starting pitcher Alexia Lacatena threw three innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts and one walk in the 6-5 victory over Philippines in Castions di Strada on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Reliever Alice Nicolini entered the ballgame after a weather delay with the Italians leading 5-3 in the top of the fourth inning with no out and two runners in scoring position. She surrendered a two-run double to Francesca Altomonte to tie the game up 5-5.
Philippines got on the board early in the top of the first inning after Skylynne Ellazar led off with a single and later crossed the plate on an RBI single by Alaiza Talazik.
Team Italy scored three runs in the bottom of the second inning off Philippines starting pitcher Royevel Palma. After catcher Elisa Cecchetti reached first on a fielder's choice and Fabrizia Marrone walked, Giulia Koutsoyanopulos came through in the clutch with a three-run home run to give the Italians a 3-1 lead.
Philippines came back to put up two runs in the top of the third inning. After Francesca Altomonte singled and reached base on an error by pitcher Alexia Lacatena, Elise Dela Torre hit a two-run single to even the score 3-3.
The Italians answered in the bottom of the third inning with two runs of their own. Singles by McKenzie Barbara and Elisa Cecchetti followed by an RBI singles from Giulia Longhi and Giulia Koutsoyanopulos gave Team Italy a 5-3 lead prior to the weather delay.
After Philippines tied the contest 5-5 in the top of the fourth inning, Team Italy took a slim 6-5 advantage in the bottom of the fourth inning. Alessandra Rotondo doubled down the right field line, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Erika Piancastelli and scored on a sacrifice fly by McKenzie Barbara.
Winning pitcher Alice Nicolini kept Philippines scoreless for the remainder of the game with two strikeouts and one walk to secure the 6-5 victory for Team Italy.
ITALY-PHILIPPINES BOX SCORE
JAPAN-CANADA BOX SCORE
Special thanks to Castions di Strada Mayor Ivan Petrucco, the longtime Udine native who was elected into office in 2019. Since then, he and his general council have worked together with the community to build a professional stadium so that international events such as the 2021 European Softball Championship and the 2023-24 Softball World Cup competitions can be hosted here.
WBSC SOFTBALL WORLD CUP GROUP STAGE C FINAL STANDINGS
TEAM ITALY SOFTBALL NEWS
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy slugger Andrea Filler at-bat against Philippines by Ezio Ratti/FIBS)
