Team Italy women's softball squad earns Euro Championship title with 3-2 win over the Netherlands
The Team Italy women's softball squad defeated the Kingdom of the Netherlands 3-2 at Arrows Park in Ostrava, Czech Republic on July 6, 2019 to win the European Championship. Having lost to the Dutch earler in the week-long international tournament, it was a very special victory for the Italians as it marked the 11th European Championship title in history for Team Italy softball.
Having thrown a two-hitter against Israel on July 2, a perfect game against France on July 3, a two-hitter against the Czech Republic on July 4, and a one-hitter against Great Britain on July 5, Team Italy ace Greta Cecchetti was in top form pitching to the previously undefeated Kingdom of the Netherlands. During her strong 123 pitch performance, she limited the Dutch to just two runs and five hits with 12 strikeouts and three walks in her fifth win of the competiton.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands scored a run early in the bottom of the first inning. Team Italy tied the game 1-1 when Marta Gasparotto led off the top of the second inning with solo home run. The Azzurre offense struck again in the top of the fifth inning. After Alessandra Rotondo singled up the middle, Team Italy sparkplug Laura Vigna hit a two-run blast over the center field fence to give the Italians the 3-1 lead.The Dutch added a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to make it a 3-2 game. Pitcher Greta Cecchetti dug down deep in the bottom of the seventh inning by inducing two groundouts and striking out the final batter to secure the victory.
Euro Champion Team Italy now prepares to enter enemy territory for the Europe/Africa Olympic Qualifier, which takes place from July 23-27, 2019 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The top six teams in the European Championship (Italy, the Netherlands, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Spain, and France) have earned the right to compete against Botswana and South Africa in the Europe/Africa Olympic Qualifier for the one spot to Tokyo 2020. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen
by Roberto Angotti
