The National Team couldn't hold on to a lead, allowing a seventh inning comeback to the USSSA Florida Pride that they will try to forget. After taking a 1-0 lead into the final inning and making it three outs from the upset, a four run Pride rally made it a 4-1 final. After four scoreless inning Giuglia Longhi to give the Italians a lead that would hold up until the eventful final frame. Greta Cecchetti and Luana Luconi scattered five hits and two walks through five scoreless innings, while Alice Ronchetti followed up a scoreless sixth inning with a leadoff walk, then two strikeouts. Before she could realize the third and final out, another walk, a single, and an error preceded the final blow by Gionna DiSalvatore who hit a two run homer to right field to cap the four run outburst by the American professionals.
In the bottom of the seventh, a single by Longhi brought the tying run to the plate three straight times, but three straight Italian batters went down, and the Pride took the series opener.
The series continues Tuesday night in Parma, with both teams looking to build on the exciting play in the great opener.
