After being shut out 8-0 by defending World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Junior Women’s World Champion Team USA yesterday, the Team Italy U19 Juniors defeated the Republic of South Africa 7-0 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Florida on July 27, 2017. Knowing the significance of the game in regards to the overall placement of the squad for the remainder of the tournament, Team Italy U19 manager Enrico Obletter instilled a sense of urgency to his players before the 9 am game as they prepared for battle in the early morning.
Team Italy threatened to score early in the game. In the top of the first inning, Laura Vigna bunted for a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Alessandra Rotondo. With Andrea Howard then being hit by a pitch, Team Italy was in rally mode with two baserunners in scoring position; however, they were left stranded on the bases, and the Italians were unable to cash in. Later Team Italy starting pitcher Sara Riboldi showed poise against South Africa’s hitters and great defense on the mound as she fielded a double play ball to end the bottom of the first inning.
Having been so close to scoring in the first inning, the Team Italy offense was hungry for some runs. With one out in the second inning, Sofia Cecchin reached second base on an infield throwing error. A sacrifice bunt by Marta Chiodaroli moved the baserunner to third base. Then an RBI bunt single by Elisa De Trombetti yielded Team Italy its first run of the game. Another infield throwing error committed by South Africa allowed Sofia Cecchin to score and give Italy a 2-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the second inning, catcher Francesca Cumero demonstrated defensive finesse when hustling out of the batter’s box from her position to field a bunt and thrown out a speedy South African runner at first base. Team Italy’s appetite for runs increased in the top of the third inning with a one out offensive rally sparked by Giorgia Migliorini’s single to left field. She was replaced on the bases by pinch runner Chiara Bassi. Elisa Princic followed with a single. Later Chiara Bassi scored on a passed ball and Elisa Princic scored on an RBI single by Marta Chiodaroli.
With a comfortable 4-0 leading going into the bottom of the third inning, Team Italy starter Sara Riboldi looked unhittable. South Africa’s batters remained perplexed and off the bases. It was a different story for the Italians. In the top of the fifth inning, Elisa Princic slugged a double to deep left center field. An infield error allowed Marta Chiodaroli to reach first base and Elisa Princic to score. Then a bunt single by Elisa De Trombetti enabled Marta Chiroli to reach third base. The Team Italy offense was in full stride as an RBI single to center field by Valeria Bettinoldi sent Marta Chiodaroli home to score. Later Alessandra Rotondo’s RBI infield single gave Italy a 7-0 lead that would hold to win the game.
With the win over South Africa, Italy’s boosts its record to 3-2 in the competition. Pool A action for Team Italy finishes this afternoon when the squad plays its second game of the day against Chinese Taipei. In order to advance as one of the top two teams in Pool A of the 2017 WBSC Junior Women’s World Championship, Team Italy must beat Chinese Taipei by at least 11 runs and at the same time limit their opponent to no more than five runs. In any case, the remaining scheduled games through Sunday in Florida will be determined based on Team Italy’s overall performance in Pool A. Forza Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
