In their final Women’s European Softball Championship Super Round game, the Italians played a game against the Czech Republic at Sportpark de Paperclip in Utrecht, the Netherlands on Friday, September 6, 2024. Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini put together the following lineup: Isabella Dayton (LF), Erika Piancastelli (RF), Marta Gasparotto (C), Andrea Filler (2B), McKenzie Barbara (DP), Silvia Torre (1B), Melany Sheldon (SS),Giulia Longhi (3B) and Giulia Koutsoyanopulos (CF)
Winning pitcher Laura Bigatton held the Czechs scoreless for four innings and allowed five hits with one strikeout. Relievers Alice Nicolini (2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB) and Alexia Lacatena (1 IP) closed out the contest.
The Team Italy offense went to work early in the bottom of the first inning when scoring three runs. After Isabella Dayton led off with a single and a pair of walks were issued to Erika Piancastelli and Andrea Filler, slugger McKenzie Barbara connected with a three-run double.
The Italians added two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Giulia Koutsoyanopulos reached first base on an infield single, and Andrea Filler walked. Then the hot-hitting Erika Piancastelli delivered a two-run double to put Team Italy in front 5-0. The Czechs answered with two runs in the top of the fifth inning.
Melany Sheldon singled, advanced to third on an outfield error and scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fifth inning. Team Italy tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth inning after Erika Piancastelli doubled and crossed the plate on an RBI single by Elisa Cecchetti to make it a 7-2 game.
CZECH REPUBLIC-ITALY BOX SCORE
Undefeated Team Italy (8-0) returns to Sportpark de Paperclip in Utrecht on Saturday, September 7th at 4:30 pm in the Women’s European Softball Championship Final against the winner of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Great Britain game.
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Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy slugger McKenzie Barbara against the Czech Republic on September 6, 2024 by RL-Mate).
