Robel Garcia completes the cycle while Azzurri brothers Drew and Beau Maggi fuel Team Italy offense to 7-4 win over Belgium in Super 6

Following a strong pitching performance from Luis Lugo in the 11-1 mercy-rule victory over Germany yesterday, Team Italy manager Gilberto "Gibo" Gerali chose 22-year-old pitcher Angelo Palumbo to start against Belgium on day two of the week-long at ETO Ballpark in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands on September 19, 2018. The 22 -year-old Venezuelan-born right-handed pitcher, who spent four seasons in Minor League Baseball playing for the Rookie Dominican Summer League Orioles, limited Belgium to just three hits in his 5.1 innings of work. It was bullpen by committee for Team Italy as relievers Rene Mazzocchi, Diego Fabiani, Valerio Simone, and Alex Bassani were used to secure the 7-4 victory.

The Team Italy offense came to life with two out in the top of the third inning. Azzurri favorite Alex Liddi doubled, and Chris Colabello walked. Designated hitter Robel Garcia, who nearly hit a solo home run blast to left field but settled for a double in his first at-bat, got another chance and clobbered the ball this time over the center field fence for a three-run homer. Team Italy came back for another run in the top of the fourth inning. Catcher Beau Maggi led off with a double to left field and advanced to third base on Mattia Reginato's single down the left field line. Cleveland Indians late-blooming prospect Drew Maggi (Triple-A Columbus Clippers) followed with a sacrifice fly to left field deep enough for baby brother Beau Maggi to tag up and score.

Team Italy's magnificant Maggis rallied again in the top of the sixth inning when Beau Maggi doubled down the right field line and scored on an RBI single by the three-time Minor League Baseball All-Star Drew Maggi. The Azzurri threatened to score again in the top of the seventh inning when Robel Garcia registered his third hit of the contest with a triple, but he was left stranded at third base without crossing the plate. Team Italy added the first of two insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning after Alex Liddi walked and later scored when Robel Garcia successfully hit for the cycle with an RBI single. Chris Colabello, who went 2-for-4, also scored when Beau Maggi was credited an RBI with a bases-loaded walk. The relentless Team Italy offense tallied thirteen hits total in the 7-4 win over Belgium. 

Team Italy improves to 2-0 in the Super 6 competition while Belgium drops to 0-2. The Azzurri clash with the Netherlands under the lights on September 20 at 7:30 pm (1:30 pm EDT). Subsequent games against Czech Republic on September 21 at 3:30 pm (9:30 am EDT) and Spain on September 22 at 11 am (5 am EDT) follow. The Super 6 baseball championship between the two top teams takes place on September 23 at 1:30 pm. All games will be streamed live on Forza #Italia! #ItaliaBaseball #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti