16/03/2018
1 Minute Read
Team Italy's Alessandro Maestri throws three scoreless innings against Czech Republic during Azzurri Spring Training in Messina
Despite losing 1-0 in game one of the three-game Spring Training exhibition series against the Czech Republic at Stadio Primo Nebiolo in Messina, Sicily on March 15, 2018, Team Italy manager Gilberto Gerali could not be happier with the pitching performance of starter Alessandro Maestri
Despite losing 1-0 in game one of the three-game Spring Training exhibition series against the Czech Republic at Stadio Primo Nebiolo in Messina, Sicily on March 15, 2018, Team Italy manager Gilberto Gerali could not be happier with the pitching performance of starter Alessandro Maestri. 
Not only did the first Italian-born pitcher signed by a major league franchise (Chicago Cubs, 2006) keep the Czechs off the bases, but he also stretched out from two to three innings to the pleasure of Azzurri skipper "Gibo" Gerali. The two-time Minor League Baseball All-Star, who spent five years pitching professionally before venturing down under to become a 2011 Australian Baseball League (ABL) All-Star and given the inaugural ABL Fan Choice Award, looked strong enough to throw another three hitless innings. Due to inning limits imposed for week two of Team Italy Spring Training in Messina, Maestri was relieved by former Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Ludovico Coveri, who surrendered the game's only run during his two innings of work. 
Team Italy manager Gilberto Gerali was also pleased with reliever Valerio Simone, whose dominant pitching performance during the final two innings of the game gives him a shot of auditioning for the closer role. The Azzurri offense threatened to tie the game up but was limited to two base hits from second baseman Alessandro Vaglio and a single by former Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Federico Celli. In its second and final week of Spring Training in Messina, Team Italy plays game two against the Czech Republic on Friday, March 16 and game three of the exhibition series on Saturday, March 17. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen
Not only did the first Italian-born pitcher signed by a major league franchise (Chicago Cubs, 2006) keep the Czechs off the bases, but he also stretched out from two to three innings to the pleasure of Azzurri skipper "Gibo" Gerali. The two-time Minor League Baseball All-Star, who spent five years pitching professionally before venturing down under to become a 2011 Australian Baseball League (ABL) All-Star and given the inaugural ABL Fan Choice Award, looked strong enough to throw another three hitless innings. Due to inning limits imposed for week two of Team Italy Spring Training in Messina, Maestri was relieved by former Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Ludovico Coveri, who surrendered the game's only run during his two innings of work. Team Italy manager Gilberto Gerali was also pleased with reliever Valerio Simone, whose dominant pitching performance during the final two innings of the game gives him a shot of auditioning for the closer role. The Azzurri offense threatened to tie the game up but was limited to two base hits from second baseman Alessandro Vaglio and a single by former Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Federico Celli. In its second and final week of Spring Training in Messina, Team Italy plays game two against the Czech Republic on Friday, March 16 and game three of the exhibition series on Saturday, March 17. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappenby Roberto Angotti
