On day two of the Women’s European Softball Championship, Team Italy played a morning game against Israel at Sportpark de Paperclip in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Italian manager Federico Pizzolini penned the following lineup: Isabella Dayton (LF), Erika Piancastelli (RF), McKenzie Barbara (DP), Andrea Filler (1B), Marta Gasparotto (C), Melany Sheldon (SS) Giulia Longhi (3B), Giulia Koutsoyanopulos (CF) and Alessandra Rotondo (2B).
Team Italy got on the board early in the top of the first inning when slugger Erika Piancastelli hit a solo home run off Israel starter Sydney Silverstein. Azzurre starting pitcher Laura Bigatton had an easy 1-2-3 out bottom of the first inning.
The Italians added one run in the top of the second inning to take a 2-0 lead. Marta Gasparotto singled, advanced to second on a walk issued to Melany Sheldon, stole third base and scored on an RBI sacrifice bunt by Giulia Longhi.
Israel scored twice in the bottom of the fourth inning. Laura Bigatton (3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 5 K) was relieved by winning pitcher Alexia Lacatena (4 IP, H, R, 5 ), who limited the damage and kept the game tied.
Team Italy broke the game open in the top of the sixth inning when scoring three runs. After Marta Gasparotto singled and moved on to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Melany Sheldon, she was replaced on the bases by Felicia Di Pancrazio. An RBI single from pinch hitter Elisa Cecchetti followed by a Silvia Torre pinch-hit two-run home run gave the Italians a 5-2 lead.
Israel tried to rally back in the bottom of the seventh inning when Amanda Licht homered but came up short in the 5-3 loss to Team Italy.
ITALY-ISRAEL BOX SCORE
Team Italy played its second contest of the day against Greece. The lineup looked like this: Isabella Dayton (LF), Erika Piancastelli (RF), McKenzie Barbara (DP), Andrea Filler (1B), Elisa Cecchetti (C), Marta Gasparotto (SS) Giulia Longhi (3B), Giulia Koutsoyanopulos (CF) and Alessandra Rotondo (2B).
Starting pitcher Christina Toniolo was impressive, throwing a three-hitter in the 7-0 five-inning mercy-rule win over Greece.
The Team Italy offense came to life in the bottom of the second inning when scoring four runs. After Marta Gasparotto and Giulia Longhi singled, Giulia Koutsoyanopulos reached first base on an infield error to load the bases for Alessandra Rotondo. The speedy infielder connected with a three-run triple to put the Italians in front 3-0. Then Isabella Dayton hit a sacrifice fly to give Team Italy the 4-0 advantage.
The Azzurre added one run in the bottom of the third inning. Andrea Filler singled, advanced to second base on an Elisa Cecchetti groundout, moved on to third base on an infield throwing error and scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by Giulia Longhi.
Team Italy nailed the coffin shut via mercy rule with two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Elisa Cecchetti singled and was replaced by pinch runner Laura Bigatton, who stole second base and scored on an RBI single by Marta Gasparotto. A passed ball allowed Marta Gasparotto to reach second base. She was replaced by pinch runner Felicia Di Pancrazio, who later crossed the plate on an RBI single from pinch hitter Silvia Torre to enforce the mercy-rule in the 7-0 shutout over Greece.
GREECE-ITALY BOX SCORE
Undefeated Team Italy (3-0) returns to Utrecht for a game against Group C winner Ukraine (3-0) on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 12:30 pm (local time).
SCHEDULE, RESULTS AND PLAY-BY-PLAY LINK
STANDINGS
STATS
SOFTBALLEUROPE.TV
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy's Silvia Torre with her teammates celebrating her home run against Israel on September 2, 2024 by RL-Mate)
