The last weekend of the regular season in the Italian Baseball League brings with it a little bit of excitement with the fourth and final postseason team yet to be decided… Of the two teams still fighting it out for that last spot, it’s T&A San Marino who holds the upper hand over Nettuno. One win or just a single loss suffered by Nettuno at the hands of UnipolSai Bologna and it will be San Marino. In fact for Nettuno to get in they will have to hope that the last place Parma squad can take both games from San Marino in their home away two game set while at the same time they must sweep the first place UnipolSai Bologna… a team that hasn't lost a game in over a month.
Getting started with San Marino and Parma… On Friday night in Parma it will be the southpaw, Rodney Rodriguez who will be getting the ball. Rodriguez will have to go up against Nibaldo Acosta for Parma, who on a side note held the Rimini Pirates scoreless through 5 innings just a week ago. On Saturday evening when the series shifts to San Marino it will be Andrea Pizziconi for the home team, while for Parma look for Yomel Rivera to get the nod. Both games are scheduled to get underway at 8:30 pm local time.
The second of these two important series in the IBL this weekend will feature the likes of UnipolSai Bologna and Nettuno. Both of the two games in the series will be played in Bologna, with game one taking place at 8:30 pm on Friday and game two at 8:30 pm on Saturday. Going for Bologna on Friday evening should be Fleming, while on Saturday look for Panerati to get the nod. On Nettuno’s side of the diamond it will be Paul Estrada in Friday evening’s game, while in Saturday’s matchup look for Ularetti to be called upon to lend a huge helping hand in what could be a do or die contest for Nettuno.
The next two game set on the list is that one between the Godo Knights and the Rimini Pirates. Game one of two will take place in Godo on Friday at 8:30 pm, while game two is scheduled to get underway at 8:30 pm in Rimini. Getting the ball for the Knights on Friday evening should be Uviedo, while on Saturday in Rimini it will be Galeotti. On Rimini side of the ball it should be their two regulars, Candlario and Richetti, who are awarded the starts, but with a lightened load with the playoffs on the horizon. Look for another couple of regulars to also get some rest in this two game set for Rimini.
Finally, down in Rome on both Friday and Saturday it will be Nettuno2 vs. Tommasin Padova. The two names on the bump for Nettuno2 this weekend will be the lefty, Gonzalez in the foreigner game, while Taschini should be the one in the Italian contest. On the other side of the ball look for the southpaw, Calero to be given the ball in Padova’s foreign game and for Faccini to go in the Italian game. Both of these contests are scheduled for 8:30 pm.
