Team Italy rebounded triumphantly against international softball competition newcomer Turkey with a 13-1 victory on July 25, 2017 after being defeated by the Philippines on Monday in the 2017 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Junior Women’s World Championship (JWWC) in Clearwater, Florida. With the win, Italy evened its record to 1-1 while Turkey sunk to 0-3 in the weeklong tournament which features 26-nations and 99 games at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.
Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter told his players before the game that no team was to be taken lightly in this tourney. Turkey was the victim of a combined no-hitter thrown by Italy’s Sara Riboldi, Chiara Bassi and Carlotta Salis. Starter Sara Riboldi struck out the side to begin the game. In the bottom of the first inning, Italy rallied when leadoff hitter Sofia Cecchin was hit by a pitch and reached third on two passed balls. Alessandra Rotondo followed with a walk and a stolen base. A two-RBI single by catcher Susanna Soldi put Italy in front 2-0. After Susana Soldi stole second base, Andrea Howard knocked her in with an RBI single to right center field to increase the lead 3-0. Elisa Princic put down a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt to advance the runner to second. A passed ball and a balk allowed Andrea Howard to score and give Team Italy a 4-0 advantage.
Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter brought in reliever Chiara Bassi to pitch in the second inning, and she shut down the Turks with three strikeouts. In the bottom of the second inning, Alessandra Rotondo reached first on a bunt single and later scored on an infield error caused by Susanna Soldi’s bunt. Andrea Howard and Giorgia Migliorini walked to load the bases for Elisa Princic, whose fielder’s choice gave Italy a commanding 6-0 lead. In the bottom of the third inning, Valeria Bettinsoli walked and later scored when Marta Chiodaroli got on base on an infield error. Sofia Cecchin bunted for a base hit, and Alessandra Rotondo followed with a walk. With bases loaded, Susanna Soldi’s sacrifice fly to center scored another run. Two more runs came across the plate on passed balls to give Italy a 10-1 lead. Later Andrea Howard, Elisa Princic and Chiara Bassi walked and later scored on a series of passed balls to make it a 13-1 game. Reliever Carlotta Salis closed out the contest for Team Italy with two strikeouts to ensure a no-hitter against Turkey.
Rather than celebrating the victory, Team Italy prepared for another game today against Guatemala (ranked #20). Italy’s regular leadoff hitter Laura Vigna remained at the hotel under doctor’s care for an ankle injury sustained yesterday, which kept her out of the lineup against Turkey. She is still listed as day-to-day. Forza Italia!
By Roberto Angotti
