Softball: Italy on the roof of Europe, Great Britain knocked out
Softball: Italy on the roof of Europe, Britain ko
Italy remains perfect and under the'Azzurro in Utrecht, defeating Great Britain 4-0 in the final game of the European Softball Championships, conquering its 13th continental title thanks to a formidable Alice Nicolini (7IP, 3H, BB, 2K) on the mound – assisted by the usual defensive wall – and to the batting of Isabella Dayton, Mc Kenzie Barbara and Erika Piancastelli above all, capable of getting a very generous Georgina Corrick into trouble, who paid for the extra effort of the morning, where è starred in the 3-1 win over the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The game began with a double in the center outfield batted in by British leadoff Jahni Kerr, the mostù dangerous of Italy's opposing lineup. Alice Nicolini didn't flinch and Italy eliminated the British danger first with an assist home by Nicolini on a hit by Dell, then protected by Giulia Longhi – decisive right away on two occasions, first denying a run by blocking Kerr at third base on Salmon's inside single, then playing an inside hit by Carrick for the third out with no assistance at third base. Italy can'play its softball: Isabella Dayton comes in safe on a bunt to third base, then steals the second base cushion (eighth stolen base, tied leader Kristina Nielsen) and Erika Piancastelli sends her home with a double (fifth of the tournament to tie leader Zoé Hines) into the hole between center fielder and left fielder. Georgina Corrick struggles and stops the danger, leaving Piancastelli at second.
In addition to the score, Italy also unlocks its head and plays with more tranquility, managing to make up for even the small defensive inaccuracies and avoiding compromising the inning as in the case of the second British attack where, with two outs and runner on first base, Filler lets an unpretentious bat by Tia Warsop slip from her glove, only to promptly recover and assist Alessandra Rotondo perfect in coverage at first.
The Blue defense continued to make a difference in the third inning, when Katie Burge and Morgan Salmon were struck out. At that point, Italy also concretized on offense with McKenzie Barbara and Felicia Di Pancrazio, who gave two more points to the Azzurri.
In the fifth inning came the knockout blow with Elena Clark, who with a kilometer run finished beyond the audience, gave Italy the 4-0 lead. Great Britain faded for good in the bottom of the sixth inning when two, trivial, consecutive errors put Isabella Dayton and Erika Piancastelli on base. With one out, the base ball earned by Andrea Filler fills the bases but once again Italy does not take advantage. It doesn't matter, because Alice Nicolini è is in good shape and can count on impeccable defense. As in the case of Erika Piancastelli, who steals the applause of the audience with a great catch on the strong line of Georgina Corrick. The Azure ace finds the second out inducing Alana Snow to a weak, slow bounce to first, set up by Andrea Filler, and gets the Azzurri party going by receiving Cara Edwards’ line drive into her glove and assisting Filler for the out that puts Italy back on the roof of Europe.
