Team Italy U19 pitcher Sara Riboldi nearly perfect in 5-1 win over Guatemala
U19 Junior pitcher Sara Riboldi threw a two-hitter in Team Italy’s 5-1 victory over Guatemala after the Italians beat Turkey 13-1 earlier in the day at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Junior Women’s World Championship (JWWC) in Clearwater, Florida on July 25, 2017. Team Italy returned for its second game of the day at the Eddie C. Moore Complex to play Guatemala (ranked #20) in the late afternoon heat. Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter along with coaches Federico Pizzolini and Marco Villani wanted to build upon the winning momentum created by the squad’s earlier defeat of the Turks when facing Guatemala.
Team Italy starting pitcher Sara Riboldi looked sharp early striking out the Guatemala leadoff hitter and having an easy 1-2-3 inning after two infield ground outs.
With one out in the top of the second inning, Giorgia Migliorini tried to get the Italian offense started with a double to deep left center field. She was replaced by pinch-runner Chiara Bassi, who was quick to steal third base but was left stranded without scoring. Team Italy starter Sara Riboldi returned in the bottom of the second to strike out the side. In the top of the third with two out, walks were issued to leadoff hitter Sofia Cecchin and catcher Alessandra Rotondo; however, they too would not reach home for Team Italy.
With the game scoreless in the bottom of the third, pitcher Sara Riboldi returned to the mound and came out firing. She struck out the first two Guatemala batters before getting a ground out to end the inning. With one out in the top of the fourth inning, Giorgia Migliorini and Elisa Princic singled and advanced to second and third on a Guatemala throwing error. Valeria Bettinsoli reached base on a fielder’s choice when Giorgia Migliorini was thrown out at home. Despite having two runners in scoring position, the Italians once again failed to score. Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter took no chances with his bullpen and asked for more from starting pitcher Sara Riboldi in the bottom of the fourth inning. She responded with confidence by keeping Guatemala off the bases.
In the top of the fifth inning, Team Italy’s Elisa De Trombetti hustled down the line for an infield single and reached second base on a passed ball. Sofia Cecchin’s bunt induced a throwing error at first that allowed Elisa De Trombetti to score Italy’s first run and Sofia Cecchin to advance to second base. Alessandra Rotondo then put down a bunt that produced another infield error and yielded Italy another run as well as a runner in scoring position. Susanna Soldi followed with an RBI single which gave Team Italy a 3-0 lead.
Pitcher Sara Riboldi gave up her first hit to Guatemala in the bottom of the fifth inning when the Central Americans scored on a passed ball and made it a 3-1 game. In the top of the sixth inning, Valeria Bettinsoli walked. Pinch-hitter Francesa Cumero sacrificed to move the runner to second base. Valeria Bettinsoli advanced to third base on Elisa De Trombetti’s bunt single. Sofia Cecchin then put down a perfectly executed bunt for a single that brought Valeria Bettinsoli home to score. Later Alessandra Rotondo’s sacrifice bunt allowed Elisa De Trombetti to score Italy’s fifth run of the game. With the 5-1 win over Guatemala, Team Italy’s record is now 2-1 in the competition. The Italians face their biggest challenge of the international 26-country tournament when they play defending WBSC JWWC Champion Team USA on July 26, 2017. Forza Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
