Team Italy pitchers gain valuable experience in WBC warmup against Oakland A’s

Prior to boarding their charter flight from Phoenix to Guadalajara, Team Italy played the Oakland A’s at Hohokam Stadium as part of their World Baseball Classic Exhibition Series in Mesa, Arizona. After yesterday’s surprise 8-7 win over the 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs Game, Team Italy and their families were honored at the Italian American Baseball Family Dinner at Marcellino Ristorante in Scottsdale, Arizona. VIPs in attendance included FIBS president Andrea Marcon, Team Italy manager Marco Mazzieri, Italian American Baseball Family founders Joe Quagliano and Frank Catalanotto (former Team Italy WBC player and current Team Italy WBC coach), and Italian American MLB celebrities Tommy Lasorda, Tony La Russa, Sal Bando and John D’Acquisto.

After a whirlwind day and night, Team Italy used the A’s game as an opportunity to give their pitching staff a chance to face some experienced MLB hitters in pressure situations.

37-year-old Azzurri starter Junior Oberto pitched two nearly flawless innings despite leaving Team Italy in a 1-0 deficit upon his departure. Reliever Filippo Crepaldi entered in the bottom of the third inning to challenge some of Oakland’s best in Alejandro De Aza and Mark Canha. Athletics leadoff hitter De Aza flew out to Team Italy centerfielder Brandon Nimmo. Mark Canha followed only to be fooled by an off speed pitch to strike out swinging. Team Italy’s Crepaldi held the A’s scoreless before handing the ball off to 20-year-old Phillies pitching prospect Nick Fanti in the fourth inning. A’s Ryon Healy walked and Bruce Maxwell singled up the middle. With men on first and second, the young lefty had the daunting task of facing Oakland veteran Adam Rosales, who fell victim to a timely strikeout. Matt Chapman then doubled and brought home two runs to give the Athletics a comfortable 3-0 lead. Fanti walked Max Muncy and struck out Franklin Barreto before hitting Alejandro De Aza to load the bases. With A’s slugger Mark Canha at bat, the Azzurri reliever regained his composure and ended the inning with Canha grounding out to second. Manager Marco Mazzieri allowed Nick to stay in the game and pitch out of the inning under pressure so that it would prove to be an excellent learning experience. As a result of Mazzieri’s proven confidence building technique, Fanti is now better prepared to help the Team Italy pitching staff in Pool D of the 2017 WBC against Mexico, Venezuela and Puerto Rico in Guadalajara.

After Fanti left the game, Team Italy used a slew of borrowed A’s prospects to rest their pitching staff before the 2017 WBC. Despite being shut out 7-0 by the Oakland A’s in the 2017 WBC warmup, Team Italy has their eyes set on a bigger and better task waiting for them tomorrow in Mexico. Ultimately, the Team Italy experience in Arizona will serve to be invaluable for Team Italy’s success in what could prove to be a very hostile environment lurking at Estadio de Beisbol Charros de Jalisco.

by Roberto Angotti