Team Italy women's softball team dominates in Super 6 with 8-0 shutout over Russia
After two big wins over Great Britain and the Netherlands in the yesterday, the Team Italy women's softball squad was dominant in its 8-0 mercy-rule shutout over Russia at ETO Ballpark in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands on September 20, 2018. 
Azzurre starter Greta Cecchetti threw a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts in five innings of work and took control of the game from her first pitch.
The Team Italy offense blasted off in the bottom of the first inning when Fabrizia Marrone walked, and Erika Piancastelli launched a two-run home run over the center field fence to give the Italians an early 2-0 lead. The Azzurre women returned in the bottom of the second inning to put four more runs on the board and keep the Russians out of the contest. The offensive rally began when Elena Chiesa tripled and scored on a fielder's choice by Alessandra Rotondo. Then Susanna Soldi, who replaced an injured Laura Vigna, got to first base with a perfectly-executed bunt single. Fabrizia Marrone also reached first base on a fielder's choice. Both runners scored on a triple by Erika Piancastelli, who came home on a passed ball to put Team Italy on top 6-0.
The Azzurre squad squeeked out another run in the bottom of the third inning after Chiara Bassi singled and scored on an RBI double from Elena Chiesa. Team Italy went on to score its 8th and final run of the abbreviated mercy-rule game in the bottom of the fourth inning when Fabrizia Marrone singled and later came home on an RBI single by Giulia Longhi. With the victory over Russia, pitcher Greta Cecchetti picks up her first win of the week-long tourney, and Team Italy improves its record to 3-1.
The Italians complete the opening round of the Dutch-hosted tourney with a 3:30 pm battle against Greece on September 21 (9:30 am EDT). The Super 6 softball consolation round begins on September 22 at 10:30 am (4:30 am EDT) for the fifth and sixth-place teams followed by another contest at 1 pm (7 am EDT) for the third and fourth-place squads. The top two finishers square off in the Super 6 softball championship on September 22 at 6 pm (12 noon EDT). will provide live streaming of all games. Forza #Italia! #ItaliaSoftball #LetsMakeItHappen
by Roberto Angotti
