After host MKF Bollate won Game 1 by a slim 4-3 margin and Inox Team Saronno rebounded with a convincing 8-1 mercy-rule victory in Game 2 on October 4, 2020, the best-of-5 Italian Softball Series moves to Campo Comunale in Saronno for a doubleheader on October 10, 2020 with the livestream of Games 3 and 4 beginning at 11 am (EDT).
GAME 1 RECAP: After the Italian Softball Series was postponed one day due to extreme rainfall in Bollate, Game 1 was rescheduled for Sunday morning, October 4, 2020. MKF Bollate sent out starting pitcher Greta Cecchetti, who earned the win after striking out 13 batters and limiting the explosive Saronno offense to just two earned runs on nine hits with two walks. Inox Team Saronno countered with starter Alice Nicolini, who lasted just 2.2 innings and surrendered four runs on five hits with three walks. Reliever Veronica Comar kept the game close by throwing 3.1 innings of one-hit softball with five strikeouts.
Inox Team Saronno got on the board early in the top of the first inning after Alessandra Rotondo singled and later scored on an RBI single by Andrea Filler. MKF Bollate answered in the bottom of the first inning with one run to tie the game up. After Lara Cecchetti reached first base on a fielder's choice, Elisa Cecchetti made a productive out deep enough to right field so that Lara Cecchetti could advance to second base. Next up was the always dangerous Amanda Fama, who was intentionally walked by Alice Nicolini in favor of facing Jamee Juarez. The strategy backfired as an RBI single from Jamee Juarez allowed Lara Cecchetti to score.
In the bottom of the third inning, MKF Bollate rallied for three runs to make it 4-1 game. Leadoff hitter Marta Gasparotto walked and later scored on an RBI single by Elisa Cecchetti for the first run. After Jamee Juarez reached on a fielder's choice, Elisa Cecchetti came home on an RBI single by Marta Chiodaroli. Then Giorgia Fumagalli singled to drive in Jamee Juarez.
In the top of the fourth inning, Inox Team Saronno chipped away at the Bollate lead with one run. Sarah Edwards led off with a bunt single. She was replaced on the bases by pinch runner Nicoletta Motta, who scored after a double by Giulia Longhi and an infield error.
It looked like MKF Bollate starter Greta Cecchetti was off to an easy 1-2-3 out finale in the top of the seventh inning to wrap up the game with back-to-back strikeouts, but a two-out Inox Team Saronno rally made it a 4-3 game after consecutive singles from Alessandra Rotondo and Fabrizia Marrone was followed by an RBI single by Laura Vigna. With two runners on base, MKF Bollate pitching ace Greta Cecchetti dug deep and caught Andrea Filler looking to secure the 4-3 Italian Softball Series Game 1 victory.
GAME 2 RECAP: After being chased out of Italian Softball Series Game 1 early, resilient Inox Team Saronno pitcher Alice Nicolini returned to start the second contest. In 4.1 innings of work, she held Bollate to just one run on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk to pick up the shortened mercy-run five-inning win. MKF Bollate starting pitcher Laura Bigatton, who was relieved by Sara Riboldi in the top of the fourth inning after giving up seven runs (two earned) on six hits with four strikeouts and three walks, took the loss.
Leading the Inox Team Saronno offensive charge was three-hole hitter Laura Vigna, who went two-for three with a double, one run scored, and three RBI. Alessandra Rotondo, Fabrizia Marrone, and Agnese Pietrone added to the assault by all scoring twice. Andrea Filler, Giulia Longhi, and Sara Brugnoli also contributed with one RBI each. With the Inox Team Saronno 8-1 win in Italian Softball Series Game 2, the squad hopes to carry the momentum forward at home.
Follow all the Live Play-by-Play action of the 2020 Italian Softball Series by clicking and watch the livestream by clicking . Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
