Team Italy places second in Super 6 Softball as Mother Nature rains on Azzurre championship parade

After four consecutive wins over Great Britain, the Netherlands, Russia, and Greece, the Team Italy women's softball squad was ready to capture the Super 6 Softball Championship with a victory over Czech Republic at ETO Ballpark in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands on September 22, 2018. Team Italy was prepared to turn the tables on the Czechs after suffering a crushing 3-2 loss to the Eastern European powerhouse in the tournament opener on September 18, 2018.

Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter called for Ilaria Cacciamani to start the game. Pitching coach Lisa Birocci-Banse, a Team Italy legend in her right after years of playing for the Azzurre, worked especially hard with Ilaria Cacciamani to amend for the squad's previous attempt to beat Czech Republic. The task bordered on daunting as Team Italy pitching ace Greta Cecchetti was unsuccessful in her bid to secure a Super 6 victory when the two teams clashed just four days prior. Coach Federico Pizzolini also put forth extra energy to get the absolute best performance on the field from his special group of promising Italians. Team Italy captain Erika Piancastelli was up for the challenge to set an example for her fellow players to go above and beyond expectations.

The Azzurre women needed to step up their game if they wanted to become 2018 Super 6 softball champions. Everybody thought that standing in the way of the championship title was Czech Republic's undefeated Veronika Peckova (4-0 with one save), who limited Team Italy to just one earned run and four hits when the Azzurre faced her; however, Mother Nature had the ultimate say to determine the winner of the 2018 Super 6 Softball Championship. Rain showers made playing conditions impossible, and organizers of the tournament decided to use round-robin results in awarding the winners of gold (Czech Republic, 5-0), silver (Italy, 4-1), and bronze (Great Britain, 3-2) medals.

Despite the undesirable outcome, Team Italy played with heart and deserved an opportunity for redemption against the Czechs. After all, Italian softball is now on fire. Team Italy recently won both the U19 and U22 Women's European Championship. In addition, Italian softball squads--featuring many Team Italy players--were victorious in the Women's European Premiere Cup (Bussolengo) and the Women's European Cup Winners Cup (Bollate). The future is bright for Italian softball based on the results of the recent European Massimo Romeo Youth Trophy, which was awarded to Team Italy 1. There is no denying the truth. Without a shadow of a doubt or even a shadow of dark rain clouds, the Azzurre women's softball players are winners if you let them compete... Look for BIG things to come from Team Italy. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen #ItaliaSoftball #LetsMakeItHappen #Tokyo2020 

by Roberto Angotti