The young and talented Italians faced the strongest team in U18 Women’s Softball World Cup Group B in their debut game at Pingtan Softball Stadium in Fuzhou, China on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Japanese pitching duo Momoko Chinomi and Sari Nagatomo threw a combined four-inning no-hitter against Team Italy. Japan scored three runs in the first inning, two runs in the second inning and five runs in the fourth inning to win via mercy rule 10-0.
Team Italy losing pitcher Chiara Di Lauro (0.1
IP, 4 H, 3 R) was bailed out early in the bottom of the first inning by
reliever Federica Forlani (3 IP, 3 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3
K). Alessandra Biffi made a brief appearance in the bottom of
the fourth inning when surrendering a two-run double before the game-ending
sacrifice bunt to enforce the mercy rule.
ITALY-JAPAN BOX SCORE
Team Italy quickly bounced back with a four-inning 13-0 mercy-rule shutout over Peru on Friday, August 16, 2024. Starting pitcher Emma Silva allowed just one hit with two strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work. Reliever Federica Forlani (0.2 IP) also picked up one strikeout. The Azzurre offense exploded with five runs in the bottom of the second inning and another eight runs in the bottom of the third inning to enforce the mercy rule. Sveva Moggi was a perfect 3-for-3 (2B, 2 R, 3 RBI). Felicia Di Pancrazio (2 R, 2 RBI) and Caterina Turci (2 R. RBI) collected two hits each.
PERU-ITALY BOX SCORE
The Italians returned for the Friday nightcap against Puerto
Rico. Starting pitcher Emma Silvia (1.1
IP, 2 H, K) and reliever Kylie Milano
(2.2 IP, R, 5 BB) kept the game close. However, winning pitcher Yessenia Lopez (4 H, 2 K) proved superior
in the contest.
Team Italy threatened in the top of the first inning when Felicia Di Pancrazio hit an infield
single and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. However, she was left
stranded on second base.
The Italians were close to scoring in the top of the second inning but once again came up short. Kylie Milano led off with an infield single, advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Carlotta Villa and moved over to third base on a Sveva Moggi groundout.
Control issues by reliever Kylie
Milano led to Puerto Rico’s only run in the bottom of the third inning. After
hitting Alexia Carrasquillo and Sabrina Boyer, she issued a walk to Mileyshka Soto to load the bases before
Team Italy summoned Emma Silvia back to the pitching
circle. An ensuing RBI infield single by Taliah
Murria put Puerto Rico on top 1-0.
The Azzurre tried to answer in the top of the fourth inning when Felicia Di Pancrazio hit another infield single and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Lucia Polini. The Italian offense was unable to cash in.
Team Italy made a last ditch effort with two out in the top of the fifth
inning when Giulia Colino connected
with an infield single, but it was too little and too late as an Alida Campioni flyout ended the game.
ITALY-PUERTO RICO BOX SCORE
The Italians finish the U18 Women’s Softball World Cup Opening Round on Saturday, August 17, 2024 with games against China at 2 pm (local time) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands at 10 pm (local time).
SCHEDULE, RESULTS AND PLAY-BY-PLAY
STANDINGS
GAMETIME LIVE STREAMING
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy at the U18 Women's Softball World Cup in China by FIBS)
