The first week of the semifinal round in the Italian Baseball League confirms that UnipolSai Bologna is the team to beat, however with this said all four clubs look to be fairly balanced regardless of the wins and losses recorded over the first three games. Bologna swept their three game set with Padova.. 10-0, 3-2, 6-3, with games two and three of this three game set being come from behind victories. In the three game set between San Marino and Rimini, it was San Marino that came out on top two games to one, as they took game one 2 to 1 and game three 7-6 (A comeback win lead by three long balls - 2 by Duran and 1 off the bat of Imperali.), while Rimini brought home their only victory on the weekend at home on Friday night by the final of 6 to 4.
This Thursday, Friday and Saturday it will be UnipolSai Bologna locked up in a three game set with T&A San Marino, a series that is expected to be hardly fought battle on both sides of the ball. If their is anything to improve upon on Bologna’s side of the ball it will be their new foreigner, Cova, who lasted just 1.1 on Saturday evening where he surrendered 3 hits and 2 walks before handing the ball off to Filippo Crepaldi who was able to secure the victory for his club. On San Marino’s side they will also be looking for a stronger appearance from their new acquisition, Justin Berg who got the start against Rimini on Friday but wasn't able to pitch into the third.
In the three game set between Rimini and Padova (Thursday’s game will be televised on RaiSport2 beginning at 9:00 pm local time), both clubs will be looking to bounce back after subpar performances in the wins and losses over their first three games… with that said, Rimini’s offense will have to come to life if they have any exceptions of a finals bid, while on Padova’s side they will have to get more out of their foreign mound, especially in relief.
