The sky is the limit for Team Italy in WBSC U19 Women’s Softball World Cup
En route from Milan’s Malpensa Airport to the 2019 WBSC U19 Women’s Softball World Cup at Bill Barber Park in Irvine, California, Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter has high hopes for his Azzurre Juniors squad in the 16-country international tournament. After capturing the U19 European Softball Championship title on Italian turf in Staranzano last year, Team Italy has the opportunity to expand its dominance across the Atlantic competing against the world’s elite in Orange County.
Having fallen from ninth place in the 2015 U19 World Cup to twelfth place two years ago, Team Italy is aiming for a rebound with an eighth place or better finish in the 2019 WBSC U19 Women’s Softball World Cup. It will, however, not come easily and require Team Italy to win at least two of the squad’s first three scheduled games. The Azzurre Juniors (ranked #9) kick off the week-long competition with a battle against South Africa (ranked #28) on Sunday, August 11 at 3 pm (local time). Team Italy returns for a doubleheader on Monday, August 12 beginning at 10 am (local time) against softball powerhouse Japan (ranked #2) followed by a 3 pm (local time) clash with Australia (ranked #7).
U19 Juniors manager Enrico Obletter has the magic touch and as the manager of the Italian National Softball Senior Team he has accomplished some remarkable feats of late. Having won both the 2019 European Softball Championship title and the Europe/Africa Olympic Softball Qualifier, Enrico Obletter will be managing Team Italy in the Olympics for the second time in his coaching career when he brings the Azzurre Seniors to Tokyo in 2020. The youngest player on the Italian Seniors squad roster, Alessandra Rotondo, is the captain of the promising Juniors team. She will give Team Italy a winning edge leading into the 2019 WBSC U19 Women’s Softball World Cup.
Accompanied by pitching coach Marco Villani, coach Federico Pizzolini, delegation team manager Claudia Venturini, team physician Alessandro Pierucci, and physiotherapist Elio Paolini, Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter is surrounded by a solid staff of proven professionals. The Italian softball skipper has confidence in his crew and especially each one of the 17 young and talented players chosen to carry out the mission to win in the 2019 WBSC U19 Women’s Softball World Cup.
Here is the official Team Italy U19 Juniors roster: Sara Camisasca, P/INF (Bollate Softball 1969); Sara Cianfriglia, INF (Bussolengo Softball); Sofia Fabbian, OF (Thunders & Dragons Castellana); Silvia Gerbella, INF (Giovanile Collecchio Softball); Noemi Giacometti, INF (Thunders & Dragons Castellana); Alexia Lacatena, P (Caserta Baseball Softball Academy); Arianna Nicolini, INF (Saronno Softball); Elisa Princic, C (Bussolengo Softball); Alessandra Rotondo, INF (Saronno Softball); Susanna Soldi, P/OF (Bussolengo Softball); Chiara Rusconi, P (Saronno Softball); Fadwa Ben Karim, P/OF (Legnano Baseball Softball); Elena Slawitz, INF (Old Parma); Silvia Torre, C/INF (Bollate Softball 1969); Giorgia Telò, P (Caserta Baseball Softball Academy); Alessia Colonna, OF (Giovanile Collecchio Softball); and Giulia Metaxia Koutsoyanopulos, INF (Bollate Softball 1969). Forza #Italia! #U19SoftballWC #LetsMakeItHappen
by Roberto Angotti
