After suffering a 7-0 mercy-rule shutout to USA in their World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women's Softball World Cup Finals debut the night prior, the Italians experienced more drama in Castions di Strada on Wednesday night, July 17th. Canada came from behind in the bottom of the seventh inning and scored twice to rob Team Italy of its hopes and dreams for a medal after a heartbreaking 5-4 loss.
The Team Italy lineup looked like this: Isabella Dayton, LF; Erika Piancastelli, RF; McKenzie Barbara, 1B; Andrea Filler, 2B; Marta Gasparotto, DP; Elisa Cecchetti, C; Alexia Lacatena, 3B; Melany Sheldon, SS; Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, CF; and Alice Nicolini, P.
Canada starting pitcher Dawn Bodrug set the tone in the top of the first inning when she struck out the side. Team Italy starter Alice Nicolini surrendered a double to Erika Polidori in the bottom of the first inning, but the Canada offense was unable to cash in.
In the top of the second inning, Team Italy took a slim 1-0 lead. Andrea Filler was issued a walk and scored on an RBI double by Elisa Cecchetti. She was replaced on the bases by Giulia Longhi. Then Melany Sheldon was hit by a pitch. Dawn Bodrug regained her composure and ended any further scoring threat with a Giulia Koutsoyanopulos strikeout.
Canada answered with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Janet Leung walked and Caitlyn Wong singled. Both runners advanced into scoring position on a flyout to right field by Grace Messmer. Zoe Hicks followed with a two-run single to put Canada on top 2-1.
The Azzurre offense went back to work in the top of the third inning and scored twice. Isabella Dayton led off with a single up the middle, stole second base and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. McKenzie Barbara was intentionally walked and replaced on the bases by Alessandra Rotondo. After Andrea Filler hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game, Marta Gasparotto connected with an RBI double and Team Italy regained the 3-2 lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, Canada went to the bullpen and summoned reliever Morgan Rackel. Giulia “Panda” Longhi welcomed her with a leadoff double down the left field line, but the Italians were unable to score.
Canada tied the game up 3-3 In the bottom of the fourth inning when a two-out rally ensued. Zoe Hicks walked and advanced to third base on a single from Kiana Jones. Kelsey Harshman followed with an RBI single.
The Italians tried to get something started in the top of the fifth inning but came up empty. Erika Piancastelli hit an infield single, moved to second base on a McKenzie Barbara groundout and on to third base on a single to left field by Andrea Filler. However, she was tagged out by catcher Natalie Wideman at the plate on a stolen base attempt. Then a pair of walks to Marta Gasparotto and Elisa Cecchetti loaded the bases, but a Giulia Longhi flyout ended the scoring opportunity.
Canada also came close to scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Callum Pilgrim led off with a double, Italian starter Alice Nicolini (4 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB) was replaced by Alexia Lacatena. After a Larissa Franklin flyout, Janet Leung singled and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Reliever Alexia Lacatena dug deep and registered a Caitlyn Wong strikeout before inducing a Grace Messmer groundout to deny Canada any runs.
Team Italy took advantage of a couple fielding errors in the infield to regain the 4-3 lead. An infield error at third base by Grace Messmer allowed Melany Sheldon to reach first base. She advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Giulia Koutsoyanopulos and moved to third on a single from Isabella Dayton. Another error at first base by Zoe Hicks put Erika Piancastelli on first and one run on the board for Team Italy.
Alexia Lacatena threw a scoreless bottom of the sixth inning to preserve the slim 4-3 advantage. In the top of the seventh inning, Canada went to the bullpen again and summoned Sara Groenewegen. The reliever successfully did her job in keeping the game close with three consecutive outs (including one strikeout).
In the bottom of the seventh inning, back-to-back singles by Callum Pilgrim and Larissa Franklin presented bright prospects for a walk-off come-from-behind victory for Canada. After a wild pitch by Alexia Lacatena, the runners advanced into scoring position. An RBI single by Janet Leung tied the game, and a Caitlyn Wong RBI sacrifice fly was enough to win the contest by a score of 5-4.
ITALY-CANADA BOX SCORE
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
WBSC WOMEN’S SOFTBALL WORLD CUP FINALS SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
The Italians return for a clash against Puerto Rico in the Placement Round (5th/6th) on Thursday, July 18th at 8:30 pm.
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
