In a game dominated by the pitchers, Spain topped Marco Mazzieri's Italy 3-1 in the first game of the Italina Baseball Week.
Decisive was a two run homer by Spanish catcher Blake Ochoa against Italy's third reliever Yomel Rivera. Italy pitched well with Oberto and Florian each staying on the mound for three innings before Coveri and Pugliese each added an inning, and played solid defense rotating multiple players at almost every position. Infante and Mercuri each had two hits for Italy. Italy scored their only run in the ninth, and also left the two tying runs on base (11 total runners left on base in the game), including four walks by wild Spain starter Ivan Granados (who playing for San Marino in 2011 threw the first no hitter in Italian Baseball League playoff history).
The series continues Sunday with a seven inning game between the teams in Florence, with Italy planning on using Roberto Corradini and Luca Panerati on the mound.
