16/07/2018 2 Minute Read

Team Italy gets historic first-ever win over Cuba during Haarlem Baseball Week

With two heartbreaking losses to Japan and the Netherlands during Haarlem Baseball Week, Team Italy manager Gilberto "Gibo" Gerali called on patriarch Alessandro Maestri to take the mound against Cuba and make history by getting the Azzurri squad's first-ever victory over the island nation by a score of 7-3 at Pim Mulier Stadium in the Netherlands on July 16, 2018

With two heartbreaking losses to Japan and the Netherlands during Haarlem Baseball Week, Team Italy manager Gilberto "Gibo" Gerali called on patriarch Alessandro Maestri to take the mound against Cuba and make history by getting the Azzurri squad's first-ever victory over the island nation by a score of 7-3 at Pim Mulier Stadium in the Netherlands on July 16, 2018. Alessandro Maestri e Nico Garbella al centro della prima vittoria azzurra contro Cuba The game plan was evident as Alessandro Maestri, the first Italian-born and developed pitcher to sign an MLB contract (Chicago Cubs, 2006), commanded the strike zone and did not allow an earned run during his six inning start. He struck out five and gave up just four hits.

Leadoff hitter Sebastiano Poma and game MVP Nico Garbella got the Team Italy rally started with back-to-back singles in the bottom of the first inning. A wild pitch put both baserunners in scoring position for cleanup hitter Chris Colabello. The Italian American slugger came through in the clutch with an two-RBI double. The Cubans scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth inning to make it a 2-1 game. Team Italy answered in the bottom of the fourth inning. Rather than risk a solo home run from Chris Colabello, Cuba chose to pitch around the tried-and-tested MLB player, who received the first of three walks during the contest. A pair of singles from Alex Sambucci and Leonardo Zileri followed by a walk to Mattia Mercuri sent Chris Colabello across the plate to score. Alex Sambucci later came home to score and give the Azzurri a 4-1 lead.

Chris Colabello tenta l'arrivo in seconda dopo il doppio che ha sbloccato la partita contro Cuba (ML Oldmanagency)Team Italy broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth inning with three more runs generated by walks, an infield error, an RBI single from Freddy Noguera, and a passed ball. Team Italy manager Gibo Gerali went to the bullpen in the top of the seventh inning and summoned reliever Alex Bassani, who looked impressive throwing two scoreless innings before giving up two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

With the 7-3 win over Cuba (0-3), Team Italy (1-2) plays Chinese Taipei (1-1) on July 17 at 8 am (EDT) before concluding single round-robin action with a game against Germany (1-2) on July 19 at 1 pm (EDT). Haarlem Baseball Week playoffs run from July 20-22, 2018. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti