Team Italy women's softball team rebounds with a 6-0 shutout over Great Britain and an extra-inning 4-3 victory over the Netherlands in Super 6
After a disappointing 3-2 loss to Czech Republic yesterday, Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter prepared his women's softball squad for a pair of games in day two of the week-long in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands on September 19, 2018. 
The Italian skipper took no chances against Great Britain in the afternoon contest and called on starting pitcher Illaria Cacciamani, who threw a brilliant one-hitter and struck out eight batters during her seven innings of work.
Team Italy got on the board early. In the top of the first inning when sparkplug Laura Vigna led off with walk and scored on an RBI triple by Amanda Fama. Team Italy scored another run in the top of the third inning after Amanda Fama tripled and crossed the plate for the second run of the game on an RBI sacrifice fly from Erika Piancastelli. The Azzurre women broke the game wide open in the top of the fifth inning. Amanda Fama led off with an infield single which was followed by a two-run home run by Erika Piancastelli to give Team Italy a 4-0 lead. The Italians added two more runs in the top of the seventh inning. Giulia Longo singled and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Elisa Princic. The speedy Fabrizia Marrone replaced Giulia Longo as a pinch-runner, and she moved over to third base on a single from Chiara Bassi. Alessandra Rotondo followed with an RBI sacrifice fly which allowed Fabrizia Marrone to score. Chiara Bassi also came home on an RBI single from pinch-hitter Marta Gasparotto.
With the 6-0 shutout over Great Britain, Team Italy remained at the ETO Ballpark for its evening battle against the Netherlands. 
Manager Enrico Obletter started pitcher Alice Nicolini against the Dutch under the lights. She limited the Netherlands to just two runs in her sharp five- inning performance on the mound. Team Italy wasted no time in getting on the board early. In the bottom of the first inning, Leadoff hitter Laura Vigna walked and moved over to second base on a perfectly-executed sacrifice bunt by Amanda Fama; however, she was thrown out at third base on a fielder's choice by Erika Piancastelli. Then Giulia Longhi singled to center field. With runners on first base and second base, Marta Gasparotto tripled to give Team Italy a 2-0 lead.
The Netherlands scored in the top of the fourth inning to cut the deficit to one run and later took the 3-2 lead off reliever Illaria Cacciamani after a controversial safe call at first base on a sacrifice bunt ended up costing the Azzurre women a decisive run. Team Italy made a valiant effort to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. After a walk to leadoff hitter Laura Vigna, Amanda Fama grounded into a fielder's choice at second base. She advanced into scoring position on Erika Piancastelli's half-swing fielder's choice and was replaced by pinch-runner Valeria Bettasoli. An RBI single by Marta Gasparotto tied the game 3-3 and sent the game into extra innings. With the tie-breaker rule in effect, Elisa Princic was placed on second base for the Italians in the bottom of the eighth inning. Fabrizia Marrone moved the runner over to third base on a sacrifice bunt. A walk-off RBI single by Alessandra Rotondo ultimately gave Team Italy the well-deserved 4-3 win.
With the two victories over Great Britain and the Netherlands, Team Italy improves its record to 2-1, and the Netherlands drop to 1-1. The Azzurre complete the opening round of the tournament with two 3:30 pm contests against Russia on September 20 (9:30 am EDT) and Greece on September 21 (9:30 am EDT). The Super 6 softball consolation round begins on September 22 at 10:30 am (4:30 am EDT) for the fifth and sixth-place teams followed by another contest at 1 pm (7 am EDT) for the third and fourth-place squads. The top two finishers square off in the Super 6 softball championship on September 22 at 6 pm (12 noon EDT). will provide live streaming of all games. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen #ItaliaSoftball
by Roberto Angotti
