Parma Clima reclaimed the Italian Serie A Baseball Championship title after a 6-0 shutout over San Marino on the Serravalle diamond in San Marino on Saturday, August 31, 2024 to win its 11th Scudetto in history and end its 14-year-old drought since wearing the 2010 crown.
In the fifth game of the Italian Baseball Series, Parma Clima pitching ace Matteo Bocchi went head-to-head with San Marino hurler Michele Vassallotti. Both pitchers held their opponent scoreless in the first inning.
After Alex Liddi walked and Wander Encarnacion singled down the right field line in the top of the second inning, Parma Clima had runners on the corners for Cesare Astorri. The former Oakland A’s prospect hit a routine grounder to shortstop Javier Lopez, who got distracted by Alex Liddi running on contact from third base to score and made a costly fielding error which resulted in two runs for Parma Clima.
Parma Clima added two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Luis Gonzalez reached first base on an infield single, advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Wander Encarnacion and crossed the plate on an RBI single from pinch hitter Tommaso Battioni. Then Michelle Vassalotti was replaced by reliever Brian Severino, who surrendered an RBI double to Manuel Ascanio to put Parma Clima in front 4-0.
A two-run home run by Italian Baseball Series MVP Alex Liddi off San Marino lefty reliever Luca Di Raffaele in the top of the seventh inning gave Parma Clima a commanding 6-0 advantage. Closer Claudio Scotti nailed the coffin shut in the bottom of the seventh inning to secure the Italian Baseball Series Championship title for Parma Clima.
BOX SCORE
VIDEO REPLAY
Italian Baseball Series Results:
Parma Clima-San Marino 4-2, 9-7, 2-0, 5-7, 6-0
(Parma Clima wins the best-of seven Italian Baseball Series 4-1)
San Marino manager Doriano Bindi gave props to Parma Clima and said, "We tried throughout the series with close games except for the last one. We hit little tonight and with only one hit it is difficult to win the games. Well done Parma."
Italian Baseball Series MVP Alex Liddi exclaimed, "It is my first championship in Italy. I had never won it before, and I am very happy to be part of this team. This group that was created was phenomenal, and we must congratulate the club."
An emotional Stefano Desimoni after the last appearance of his illustrious baseball career said, "I am a product of all of Parma and not just of Parma Baseball, but of all the teams that are in Parma and winning this championship for me, is winning it for the city because the entire baseball movement can enjoy it."
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Parma Clima by CB Oldmanagency)
