Team Italy captain Erika Piancastelli closes in on Athletes Unlimited Softball Leaders

With two-time Olympic medallist Cat Osterman from Team USA leading the inaugural season individual standings with 1,990 points, Team Italy slugger Erika Piancastelli looks to close in on second place with a big finish during the final week of play in the Chicago-based professional softball league.

Curently in third with 1,510 points, Erika Piancastelli trails second-place Jessica Warren by 70 points while sustaining a narrow two-point lead over fourth-place Aleshia Ocasio from Team Puerto Rico. Looming dangerously close is Team Canada's Victoria Hayward with 1,480 points. Athletes Unlimited Softball League points are awarded based on both individual performances and team results. In addition, players are paid according to their overall ranking. Each week the four top finishers become the following week's team captains responsible for drafting their team's players.

In an last-ditch effort to finish in the second spot in the final , Team Piancastelli captain Erika Piancastelli must perform well against Team Osterman (featuring pitcher Cat Osterman and outfielder Victoria Hayward) on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 3:30 pm (EST) on ESPN3. In addition, Team Piancastelli must defeat Team Warren (featuring infielder Jessica Warren) on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at 1 pm (EST) on ESPN2. Team Piancastelli must return on Monday, September 28, 2020 at 4 pm (EST) on CBS Sports Network and beat Team Ocasio (featuring pitcher Aleshia Ocasio) for Erika Piancastelli's best chance to become runner-up to Athletes Unlimited leader Cat Osterman. Forza #Italia!

by Roberto Angotti