Team Italy women's softball squad impresses USSSA Pride with a pair of competitive games
"Grazie Italia! Thanks for a great start to the European Pro Series presented by WBSC," tweeted the USSSA Pride following the completion of their two games at Francesco Nespoli Stadium in Caronno Pertusella (Milan) on April 24 and 25, 2018. Despite Team Italy losing 6-0 and 2-0, both games were hotly contested and much closer than the final scores indicate. Considering the American squad is one of the premier teams in National Pro Fastpitch, the Italians must be commended for their tenacity and never-say-die approach to the two games. Serving as a rare opportunity for Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter to see how his players fare in a very competitive setting so he can evaluate who will make the Azzurre roster for the WBSC Women's Softball World Championship in August, the USSSA European Pro Series proved to be a huge success based on the enthusiam of the capacity crowd and the number of viewers to the live stream broadcasts.
Italy skipper Enrico Obletter was proud of his squad and echoed the sentiment that by playing against the game's elite his team's overall growth and development will accelerate to its maximum potential. He said, "The USSSA Pride lived up to their status as America's best women's softball team. We played two close games to the best of our current playing form. Our pitchers, Greta Cecchetti above all, did very well as did our defense. Our offense was shut down by premier world-class pitchers Jolene Henderson, Kelsey Nunley, Jessica Burroughs and Hannah Rogers. We do have, however, margin for improvement as our season gradually unfolds. As a national team in order to enter the elite class of world softball, we need to train and compete consistently as a team and not as an all-star team as we have been doing up till now. Only by doing this and competing against the world's best continuously can we take our game to the next level."
Team Italy starting pitcher Greta Cecchetti struck out five USSSA Pride hitters and defused the explosive American offense to just one run during her 2.2 innings of work in game one. Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter called on relievers Ilaria Cacciamani, Alice Ronchetti, Veronica Comar, and Alice Nicolini to pitch in the first of two contests. The Azzurre offense was limited to a bunt single by leadoff hitter Laura Vigna and a single from Amanda Fama. Pitchers Ilaria Cacciamani returned to start game two and held the USSSA Pride scoreless for three complete innings. Alice Ronchetti exuded confidence by pitching an inning of relief and keeping the game tied 0-0. It took until the top of the sixth inning before the American powerhouse finally fired on all cyclinders and scored two runs off reliever Greta Cecchetti. Team Italy came up short when cleanup hitter Giulia Longhi singled in the second inning and doubled in the fourth inning but never crossed the plate to score. Another single from Beatrice Ricchi registered the Italian's third hit of the game. Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter and coaches Federico Pizzolini and Lisa Birocci Banse should be complimented for their outstanding job in preparing the women's softball squad for battle against America's finest, the USSSA Pride. With more opportunities like these down the road, Team Italy will be on the right path to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen
by Roberto Angotti
