Vigna, Rotondo and Howard join Team Italy for WBSC Women's Softball World Championship in Japan

After leading Team Italy to the last week, manager Enrico Obletter hopes to keep the momentum of his winning ways by adding three players from his young and talented U19 squad to the Azzurre roster for the upcoming in Chiba, Japan from August 2-12, 2018. Laura Vigna, Alessandra Rotondo, and Andrea Howard now join Mariel Bertossi, Amanda Fama, Fabrizia Marrone, Alice Nicolini, Ilaria Cacciamani, Lara Cecchetti, Giulia Longhi, Elisa Cecchetti, Greta Cecchetti, Marta Gasparotto, Erika Piancastelli, Beatrice Ricchi, Priscilla Brandi, and Veronica Comar to complete the Team Italy lineup.

Italian skipper Enrico Obletter is accompanied in Japan by coaches Federico Pizzolini and Lisa Banse Birocci, athletic trainers Ulises Hernandez and Elio Paolini, physician Gaetano Schiavottiello, and delegation manager Roberta Soldi.

Having given the Japanese a scare nearly six months ago in the 2018 Asia Pacific Cup in Sydney, Australia, Team Italy has an opportunity to turn the tables in a rematch against the softball powerhouse in the WBSC Women's Softball World Championship opener on August 2, 2018. Japan, winner of the 2018 Asia Pacific Cup, was nearly upset by Team Italy without the services of NCAA All-American captain in the 26-game international tournament on February 1, 2018. Manager Enrico Obletter said, "We played a thriller against Japan. We were the only team to score a run against them during the whole tournament, and we pushed them to the limit. Eventually we got beat 3-1, but I mean it was a very close game. I think the girls did well. They brought out that Italian pride. That is something that distinguishes us wherever we go. We can play anywhere in the world, and that pride, the will, the want to prove yourself that we're not a third world country in softball or baseball is there." Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti