Super 6 leaves Team Italy women's softball squad hungry for more international competition

With rain taking away the opportunity for Team Italy to play Czech Republic for the gold in the Super 6 Softball Championship in the Netherlands, the Azzurre women's softball squad is looking forward to competing internationally for more than European bragging rights. The Super 6 silver medalists are focused now on the 2019 Asia Pacific Cup in Sydney, Australia. Manager Enrico Obletter projects Team Italy's quality of play to improve on a dry surface against the likes of powerhouse Japan, Australia, New Zealand, China and Chinese Taipei. 

It truly was a disappointment to settle for second place in the Super 6 because Team Italy (4-1) had outscored opponents 27-4 in four consecutives victories after losing the tourney opener 3-2 to the Czechs (5-0) at ETO Ballpark in Hoofddorp on September 18, 2018. The Italian offense was primed and ready for retaliation to claim the Super 6 Softball Championship title. Due to an injury suffered early in the tourney to sparkplug Laura Vigna, Amanda Fama served primarily as the Azzurre squad's leadoff hitter and never looked back. In fact, Amanda Fama was awarded Best Hitter of the Super 6 Softball Tournament. She ranked first for Team Italy in batting average (.636), on-base percentage (.692), slugging percentage (1.455), hits (7), doubles (2), triples (2), runs scored (5), sacrifice bunts (2) and total bases (16) while coming in a close second in home runs (1).

Team Italy captain Erika Piancastelli met expectations in the Super 6. The face of Italian softball was first in runs scored (5), RBI (8), home runs (2), sacrifice flies (1), stolen bases (1) and hit by pitch (2) while placing second in batting average (.364), on-base percentage (.529), slugging percentage (1.091), triples (1), walks (3), and total bases (12). Tying Erika Piancastelli for the team's second-best batting average (.364), Fabrizia Marrone also ranked second in doubles (2), runs scored (4), and sacrifice bunts (1). In addition, she placed third in on-base percentage (.417) and hits (4).

Giulia Longhi proved her weight in gold during the Super 6. Second in hits (5), RBI (5), home runs (1), and hit by pitch (1), Giulia Longhi came in third in team batting average (.313), slugging percentage (.500), and total bases (3). Marta Gasparotto made her presence felt for Team Italy. She ranked second in triples (1), third in hits (4) and RBI (4), fourth in total bases (6), and fifth in batting average (.286), on-base percentage (.286), and slugging percentage (.429).

Although having only a small sample size with three plate appearances during the competition, Elena Chiesa had the second-best batting average (.667) of any player in the Super 6 and made the most of her at-bats with two extra-base hits (double and triple), one RBI and one run scored. Chiara Bassi also contributed in her eight plate appearances by posting a .500 batting average with two runs scored. The high-powered Team Italy offense included clutch hitting from Alessandra Rotondo, Laura Vigna, Susanna Soldi, Valeria Bettinsoli, and Elisa Princic.

Catchers Erika Piancastelli, Marta Gasparotto, and Elena Chiesa did an outstanding job in calling the games for the Team Italy pitching staff. Ace starting pitcher "Iron Greta" Cecchetti (1-1) was second-best to Czech Republic's workhorse Veronika Peckova (4-0 with one save) in the Super 6 with 19 strikeouts and a 0.66 ERA. Ilaria Cacciamani threw a complete game one-hitter against Great Britain and relieved starter Alice Nicolini just hours later in the contest against the Kingdom of the Netherlands to pick up her second win of the tournament. Laura Bigatton also earned a victory after limiting Greece to one earned run in her abbreviated five-inning mercy-rule performance.

Despite having to settle for second place and the silver medal in the Super 6, the Team Italy women's softball squad played with heart and deserved an opportunity for revenge against Czech Republic. Team Italy will undoubtedly settle the score the next time around. In the meantime, the Asia Pacfic Cup is the top priority. Manager Enrico Obletter along with coaches Lisa Birocci-Banse and Federico Pizzolini will work diligently with the Azzurre players to make sure they are prepared for their uphill battle 'Down Under'. Forza #Italia! #italiaSoftball #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti