In the Italian Softball League DES Caserta celebrated the championship. They beat AMGA Legnano 3-2 in the best-of-five championship series, which was played from October 1 to 9. A 1-0 shutout in the decisive fifth match decided the outcome. During the semifinals Legnano had beaten Sanotint Bollate in four games and Caserta swept Fiorini Forli.

Results:
Semi-Finals:
DES Caserta – Fiorini Forli 3-1, 8-6, 2-0 (10)
AMGA Legnano – Sanotint Bollate 7-3, 3-2, 0-1 (10), 5-1
Italian Softball Series:
AMGA Legnano - DES Caserta 0-1, 1-7, 3-2, 8-7, 0-1

Results:
Saturday, July 2:
DES Caserta – Fiorini Forli 0-1 (8), 1-7
Foresi Mosca Macerata – Unione Fermana Softball 2-1 (8), 2-5
AB Caronno Rheavendors – ASD Titano Hornets 1-2, 2-8
AMGA Legnano – Sanotint Bollate 1-7, 2-6
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – RHIBO Softball La Loggia 4-2, 0-2

Standings:

FIORINI S.C. FORLI'            30 25  5 833 0.0
SANOTINT BOLLATE SOFTBALL      30 20 10 666 5.0
DES CASERTA SOFTBALL           30 18 12 600 7.0
RHIBO SOFTBALL LA LOGGIA       30 18 12 600 7.0
AMGA B.S.C. LEGNANO A.S.D.     29 17 12 586 7.5
FORESI MOSCA MACERATA          29 14 15 482 10.5
MUSEO D'ARTE NUORO             30 12 18 400 13.0
A.S.D. TITANO HORNETS          30 11 19 366 14.0
A.S.D. UNIONE FERMANA SOFTBALL 30  9 21 300 16.0
AB CARONNO RHEAVENDORS         30  5 25 166 20.0

Results Italian Softball League:
Saturday, June 25:
Sanotint Bollate – AB Caronno Rheavendors 4-2, 7-0 (6)
RHIBO Softball La Loggia – Foresi Mosca Macerata 4-3, 3-0
ASD Titano Hornets – DES Caserta 4-10, 0-1
Fiorini Forli – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 4-2, 6-0
ASD Unione Fermana – AMGA Legnano 3-2, 0-7
Sunday, June 26:
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – Fiorini Forli 1-3, 0-3

Standings:

FIORINI S.C. FORLI'            28 23  5 821 0.0
DES CASERTA SOFTBALL           28 18 10 642 5.0
SANOTINT BOLLATE SOFTBALL      28 18 10 642 5.0
AMGA B.S.C. LEGNANO A.S.D.     27 17 10 629 5.5
RHIBO SOFTBALL LA LOGGIA       28 17 11 607 6.0
FORESI MOSCA MACERATA          27 13 14 481 9.5
MUSEO D'ARTE NUORO             28 11 17 392 12.0
A.S.D. TITANO HORNETS          28 9  19 321 14.0
A.S.D. UNIONE FERMANA SOFTBALL 28 8  20 285 15.0
AB CARONNO RHEAVENDORS         28 5  23 178 18.0

Results Italian Softball League Week 13:
Saturday, June 18:
AMGA Legnano – Foresi Mosca Macerata 7-6 (8), 1-3
Caronno Rheavendors – Fiorini Forli 0-5, 0-15 (4)
DES Caserta – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 2-0, 2-7
ASD Titano Hornets – RHIBO Softball La Loggia 2-3, 2-6
Sanotint Bollate – ASD Unione Fermana Softball 4-0, 7-0 (6)

Standings:

FIORINI S.C. FORLI'            24 19 5  791  0.0
AMGA B.S.C. LEGNANO A.S.D.     26 17 9  653  3.0
DES CASERTA SOFTBALL           26 16 10 615  4.0
SANOTINT BOLLATE SOFTBALL      26 16 10 615  4.0
RHIBO SOFTBALL LA LOGGIA       26 15 11 576  5.0
FORESI MOSCA MACERATA          26 13 13 500  7.0
MUSEO D'ARTE NUORO             24 11 13 458  8.0
A.S.D. TITANO HORNETS          26 9  17 346 11.0
A.S.D. UNIONE FERMANA SOFTBALL 26 7  19 269 13.0
AB CARONNO RHEAVENDORS         26 5  21 192 15.0

Results Round 12 Italian Softball League:
Saturday, June 11:
RHIBO Softball La Loggia – DES Caserta 3-1
Unione Fermana – Caronno Rheavendors 1-4
Unione Fermana – Caronno Rheavendors 5-9
Museo D’Arta Nuoro – Foresi Mosca Macerata 2-0
Museo D’Arta Nuoro – Foresi Mosca Macerata 2-1
Fiorini Forli – AMGA Legnano 3-2
Fiorini Forli – AMGA Legnano 10-0 (4)
Sunday, June 12:
RHIBO Softball La Loggia – DES Caserta 6-5
Sanotint Bollate – Titano Hornets 7-3
Sanotint Bollate – Titano Hornets 2-1 (8)

Box scores, Stats at FIBS.it

Standings:

FIORINI S.C. FORLI'            22 17 5   772  0.0
AMGA B.S.C. LEGNANO A.S.D.     24 16 8   666  2.0
DES CASERTA SOFTBALL           24 15 9   625  3.0
SANOTINT BOLLATE SOFTBALL      24 14 10  583  4.0
RHIBO SOFTBALL LA LOGGIA       24 13 11  541  5.0
FORESI MOSCA MACERATA          24 12 12  500  6.0
MUSEO D'ARTE NUORO             22 10 12  454  7.0
A.S.D. TITANO HORNETS          24  9 15  375  9.0
A.S.D. UNIONE FERMANA SOFTBALL 24  7 17  291 11.0
AB CARONNO RHEAVENDORS         24  5 19  208 13.0

Results Italian Softball League:
Wednesday, May 25:
Fiorini Forli – Foresi Mosca Macerata 3-2 (8), 2-1 (8)
Titano Hornets – Unione Fermana 9-1 (6), 0-5
Saturday, May 28:
Unione Fermana – RHIBO Softball La Loggia 0-3, 2-15 (5)
Foresi Mosca Macerata – DES Caserta 0-9 (6), 10-0 (4)
Sanotint Bollate – Fiorini Forli 6-5, 0-3
Titano Hornets – Museo D’Arta Nuoro 2-1, 0-7 (5)
Caronno Rheavendors – AMGA Legnano 0-7 (5), 8-11

Standings:

FIORINI S.C. FORLI'            19 14 5  736  0.0
AMGA B.S.C. LEGNANO A.S.D.     22 16 6  727 -0.5
DES CASERTA SOFTBALL           22 15 7  681  0.5
FORESI MOSCA MACERATA          22 12 10 545  3.5
SANOTINT BOLLATE SOFTBALL      22 12 10 545  3.5
RHIBO SOFTBALL LA LOGGIA       22 11 11 500  4.5
A.S.D. TITANO HORNETS          21 9 12  428  6.0
MUSEO D'ARTE NUORO             20 8 12  400  6.5
A.S.D. UNIONE FERMANA SOFTBALL 22 7 15  318  8.5
AB CARONNO RHEAVENDORS         22 3 19  136 12.5

Results Week 10:
Saturday, May 21:
DES Caserta – Unione Fermana 8-1 (5), 4-6
Foresi Mosca Macerata – AB Caronno Rheavendors 5-0, 7-0
Fiorini Forli – ASD Titano Hornets 6-2, 2-1
AMGA Legnano – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 4-8, 2-9 (5)
RHIBO Softball La Loggia – Sanotint Bollate 8-10 (8), 0-1 (8)

Box scores, Stats at FIBS.it

Standings Italian Softball League:

FIORINI S.C. FORLI'            16 12 4 750 0.0
AMGA B.S.C. LEGNANO A.S.D.     20 14 6 700 0.0
DES CASERTA SOFTBALL           20 14 6 700 0.0
FORESI MOSCA MACERATA          18 11 7 611 2.0
SANOTINT BOLLATE SOFTBALL      20 11 9 550 3.0
RHIBO SOFTBALL LA LOGGIA       20 9 11 450 5.0
A.S.D. TITANO HORNETS          18 7 11 388 6.0
MUSEO D'ARTE NUORO             18 7 11 388 6.0
A.S.D. UNIONE FERMANA SOFTBALL 18 6 12 333 7.0
AB CARONNO RHEAVENDORS         20 3 17 150 11.0

Results Week 9:
Sunday, May 15:
RHIBO Softball La Loggia – AMGA Legnano 8-5, 5-9
Sanotint Bollate – DES Caserta 3-6, 1-3
AB Caronno Rheavendors – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 8-1 (5), 2-7
ASD Titano Hornets – Unione Fermana ppd
Fiorini Forli – Foresi Mosca Macerata ppd

Box scores and Stats at FIBS.it

Standings:

AMGA B.S.C. LEGNANO A.S.D.      18 13 5 722 0.0
DES CASERTA SOFTBALL            18 13 5 722 0.0
FIORINI S.C. FORLI'             14 10 4 714 1.0
FORESI MOSCA MACERATA           16 9  7 562 3.0
RHIBO SOFTBALL LA LOGGIA        18 9  9 500 4.0
SANOTINT BOLLATE SOFTBALL       18 9  9 500 4.0
A.S.D. TITANO HORNETS           16 7  9 437 5.0
MUSEO D'ARTE NUORO              16 6 10 375 6.0
A.S.D. UNIONE FERMANA SOFTBALL  16 5 11 312 7.0
AB CARONNO RHEAVENDORS          18 3 15 166 10.0

Results Week 7 Italian Softball League:
Saturday, May 7:
DES Caserta – AB Caronno Rheavendors 7-0 (5), 3-2
Foresi Mosca Macerata – Sanotint Bollate 0-4, 5-4
Rhibo Softball La Loggia – Fiorini Forli 2-3, 1-2
AMGA Legnano – ASD Titano Hornets 9-2 (5), 9-5
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – Unione Fermana 5-1, 3-4

Box scores at FIBS.it

Standings:

AMGA B.S.C. LEGNANO A.S.D.       14 11 3 785 0.0
DES CASERTA SOFTBALL             14 10 4 714 1.0
FIORINI S.C. FORLI'              12 8  4 666 2.0
SANOTINT BOLLATE SOFTBALL        14 8  6 571 3.0
FORESI MOSCA MACERATA            14 8  6 571 3.0
RHIBO SOFTBALL LA LOGGIA         14 7  7 500 4.0
A.S.D. TITANO HORNETS            14 6  8 428 5.0
A.S.D. UNIONE FERMANA SOFTBALL   14 5  9 357 6.0
MUSEO D'ARTE NUORO               12 4  8 333 6.0
AB CARONNO RHEAVENDORS           14 1 13 071 10.0

Results Week 6 Italian Softball League:
Saturday, April 30:
Fiorini Forli – DES Caserta 3-10
Fiorini Forli – DES Caserta 10-3 (6)
Unione Fermana Softball – Foresi Mosca Macerata 3-5
Unione Fermana Softball – Foresi Mosca Macerata 1-4
Sanotint Bollate – AMGA Legnano 10-9
Sanotint Bollate – AMGA Legnano 0-10 (5)
RHIBO Softball La Loggia – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 10-0 (4)
RHIBO Softball La Loggia – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 5-4
Sunday, May 1:
Titano Hornets – AB Caronno Rheavendors 8-1 (5)
Titano Hornets – AB Caronno Rheavendors 13-0 (4)

Box scores, Stats at FIBS.it

Standings:

1  AMGA B.S.C. LEGNANO A.S.D.     12   9  3  .750 0.0
2  DES CASERTA SOFTBALL           12   8  4  .666 1.0
3  FIORINI S.C. FORLI'            10   6  4  .600 2.0
4  RHIBO SOFTBALL LA LOGGIA       12   7  5  .583 2.0
5  SANOTINT BOLLATE SOFTBALL      12   7  5  .583 2.0
6  FORESI MOSCA MACERATA          12   7  5  .583 2.0
7  A.S.D. TITANO HORNETS          12   6  6  .500 3.0
8  A.S.D. UNIONE FERMANA SOFTBALL 12   4  8  .333 5.0
9  MUSEO D'ARTE NUORO             10   3  7  .300 5.0
10 AB CARONNO RHEAVENDORS         12   1 11  .083 8.0

DES Caserta prevailed thanks to dominating performances by their pitchers. In game one against the Titano Hornets Anjelica Selden issued just one hit in seven scoreless innings, striking out ten. In the second match Serena Filiput pitched a three-hitter.

AMGA Legnano also didn’t allow any runs versus Unione Fermana. In the first match Lana Tye and Hui Li Yu struck out 13 in seven combined four-hit innings. Clare Warwick accounted for the lone run of the game with a solo shot in the first. In part two of the doubleheader Michelle Musitelli Romani allowed only two hits, while striking out eight in a complete game shutout.

Results Week 5:
Saturday, April 23:
AB Caronno Rheavendors – Sanotint Bollate 3-11 (5), 1-4
Foresi Mosca Macerata – Rhibo Softball La Loggia 1-2, 7-2
DES Caserta – ASD Titano Hornets 4-0, 6-0
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – Fiorini Forli postponed
AMGA Legnano – Unione Fermana – 1-0, 4-0

Box scores and Stats on FIBS.it

Standings:

AMGA B.S.C. LEGNANO A.S.D.      10  8-2   .800 0.0
DES CASERTA SOFTBALL            10  7-3   .700 1.0
FIORINI S.C. FORLI'              8  5-3   .625 2.0
SANOTINT BOLLATE SOFTBALL       10  6-4   .600 2.0
RHIBO SOFTBALL LA LOGGIA        10  5-5   .500 3.0
FORESI MOSCA MACERATA           10  5-5   .500 3.0
A.S.D. UNIONE FERMANA SOFTBALL  10  4-6   .400 4.0
A.S.D. TITANO HORNETS           10  4-6   .400 4.0
MUSEO D'ARTE NUORO               8  3-5   .375 4.0
AB CARONNO RHEAVENDORS          10  1-9   .100 7.0

Results Italian Softball Week 4:
Saturday, April 16:
Foresi Mosca Macerata – AMGA Legnano 1-3, 1-5
Fiorini Forli – AB Caronno Rheavendors 4-3 (9), 12-1 (4)
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – DES Caserta 1-9 (5), 7-5
Rhibo Softball La Loggia – ASD Titano Hornets 1-3, 1-0
ASD Unione Fermana – Sanotint Bollate 13-2 (4), 4-0

Box scores, Play by Play and Stats at FIBS.it

Standings:

AMGA B.S.C. LEGNANO A.S.D.      8  6-2  .750  0.0
DES CASERTA SOFTBALL            8  5-3  .625  1.0
A.S.D. TITANO HORNETS           7  4-3  .571  1.5
FIORINI S.C. FORLI'             7  4-3  .571  1.5
RHIBO SOFTBALL LA LOGGIA        8  4-4  .500  2.0
SANOTINT BOLLATE SOFTBALL       8  4-4  .500  2.0
FORESI MOSCA MACERATA           8  4-4  .500  2.0
A.S.D. UNIONE FERMANA SOFTBALL  8  4-4  .500  2.0
MUSEO D'ARTE NUORO              8  3-5  .375  3.0
AB CARONNO RHEAVENDORS          8  1-7  .125  5.0

Results Week 3:
Saturday, April 9:
DES Caserta – Rhibo Softball La Loggia 4-3 (10)
DES Caserta – Rhibo Softball La Loggia 1-9 (6)
Caronno Rheavendors – Unione Fermana Softball 6-4
Caronno Rheavendors – Unione Fermana Softball 1-11 (5)
Foresi Mosca Macerata – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 7-3
Foresi Mosca Macerata – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 2-3
Titano Hornets – Sanotint Bollate 13-19
Titano Hornets – Sanotint Bollate 1-4
AMGA Legnano – Fiorini Forli 2-6
AMGA Legnano – Fiorini Forli 4-1

Box scores and Stats on FIBS.it

Standings:

AMGA B.S.C. LEGNANO A.S.D.     6  4-2  .666  0.0
FORESI MOSCA MACERATA          6  4-2  .666  0.0
DES CASERTA SOFTBALL           6  4-2  .666  0.0
SANOTINT BOLLATE SOFTBALL      6  4-2  .666  0.0
A.S.D. TITANO HORNETS          5  3-2  .600  0.5
RHIBO SOFTBALL LA LOGGIA       6  3-3  .500  1.0
FIORINI S.C. FORLI'            5  2-3  .400  1.5
MUSEO D'ARTE NUORO             6  2-4  .333  2.0
A.S.D. UNIONE FERMANA SOFTBALL 6  2-4  .333  2.0
AB CARONNO RHEAVENDORS         6  1-5  .166  3.0

Forli won game one 4-0 behind seven one-hit, one-walk innings by Kylie Reynolds. She struck out 14. The Hornets overcame 14 strikeouts by Lindsey Meadows in a 1-0 nail biter over Museo D’Arte Nuoro. Megan Brown won the pitcher’s duel with seven scoreless five-hit innings.

Results Week 2:
Saturday, April 2
Rhibo Softball La Loggia – Unione Fermana Softball 3-4 (9)
Rhibo Softball La Loggia – Unione Fermana Softball 9-3
DES Caserta Softball – Foresi Mosca Macerata 8-0 (5)
DES Caserta Softball – Foresi Mosca Macerata 5-8
Fiorini Forli – Sanotint Bollate 2-5
Fiorini Forli – Sanotint Bollate 4-0
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – Titano Hornets 2-3 (8)
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – Titano Hornets 0-1
AMGA Legnano – Caronno Rheavendors 4-3
AMGA Legnano – Caronno Rheavendors 10-0 (4)

Standings:

1. Titano Hornets 3-0
2. AMGA Legnano 3-1
3. Foresi Mosca Macerata 3-1
4. DES Caserta 3-1
5. Rhibo Softball La Loggia 2-2
6. Sanotint Bollate 2-2
7. Fiorini Forli 1-2
8. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 1-3
9. Unione Fermana 1-3
10. Caronno Rheavendors 0-4

Box scores and Stats on FIBS.it

Highlight Clip from game two between Unione Fermana and DES Caserta, courtesy of SoftballItalia.it

The Italian Softball League opened the 2011 season on Saturday with five doubleheaders. Foresi Mosca Macerata, ASD Titano Hornets and DES Caserta Softball started with sweeps into the new year.

The most exciting game of the week was the second match between the Hornets and Fiorini Forli. Titano won 1-0 thanks to a RBI groundout of Beatrice Ricci in the bottom of the eighth. Megan Brown struck out 13 in eight scoreless three-hit, two-walk innings.

Also Anjelica Selden led DES Caserta to a 5-0 shutout over Unione Fermana, issuing just a five-inning single while striking out eleven. Kristen Wadwell struck out 13 for Macerata in a 4-0 victory over Rhea Vendors Caronno.

Results Italian Softball League Week 1:
Saturday, March 26:
ASD Unione Fermana – DES Caserta 0-5
ASD Unione Fermana – DES Caserta 1-3
Rhea Vendors Caronno – Foresi Mosca Macerata 0-4
Rhea Vendors Caronno – Foresi Mosca Macerata 2-10 (6)
ASD Titano Hornets – Fiorini Forli 5-3
ASD Titano Hornets – Fiorini Forli 1-0 (8)
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – AMGA Legnano 0-10
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – AMGA Legnano 3-2
Sanotint Bollate – Rhibo Softball La Loggia 0-7 (5)
Sanotint Bollate – Rhibo Softball La Loggia 2-1

Box scores, schedules at FIBS.it

by www.baseballeurope.com

Hotel Imperial Beach in Rivabella (Italy) hosts the 26 and 27 February, the fifth Scorer Convention
Work will begin on Saturday at 9:30 and will finish on Sunday at around 12.30.

Technical Commission will open and close the event with “knowledge of the game and the Rules”, Updates for the season 2011, Scoring in MLB, Manage the Line up, meeting with the Italian Press office and the Board of Scorers.

Two foreign guests: Stephanie Winkler (GER) and Pablo Carpio (ESP) will explain Rules 10.05 and 10.06.

During the Gala Dinner on Saturday night will be given some awards for the 2010 season.

(3-0) DES Caserta – Fiorini Forli 2-0

FIO 000 000 0  0 2 0
DES 100 100 X  2 4 2

Box score

DES Caserta completed a three-game sweep in the Italian Softball Series with a 2-0 win over Fiorini Forli on Saturday. It was their third straight shutout in the championship series. It also is the second consecutive national title in Italian Softball.

In game three it was Anjelica Selden (W 2-0) who dominated in the circle, allowing just a pair of singles in the fourth and the fifth in seven scoreless innings. She struck out nine for her second win of the series.

DES Caserta didn’t waste any time, taking a 1-0 lead in the opening frame on a RBI double by Bianca Novelli after Katerina Dvorakova had led off with a single. They added another run in the bottom of the fourth when Novelli tripled with one out and crossed the plate on a groundout by Giovanna Palermi.

Kristina Thorson (L 0-2) took another tough loss, issuing two runs on four hits in six innings. She struck out ten. Fiorini Forli had lost the first two games by a combined score of 0-3.

Results:
Game 1: Fiorini Forli – DES Caserta 0-1
Game 2: Fiorini Forli – DES Caserta 0-2
(Recaps)

Photo: © Bagattini/FIBS

DES 000 010 0  1 4 0
FIO 000 000 0  0 3 1

Box score

Defending champion DES Caserta had a perfect start into the 2010 Italian Softball Series. In game one Mindy Cowles and Anjelica Selden (W 1-0) combined to allow just three hits in seven scoreless innings to lead their team to a 1-0 shutout against Fiorini Forli. The difference was a steal of home by Giovanna Palermi in the top of the fifth. Forli’s Kristina Thorson (L 0-1) gave up one run on four hits in seven strong innings. She struck out 14 of the 25 batters she faced.

(0-2) Fiorini Forli – DES Caserta 0-2

DES 000 100 0  1 5 1
FIO 000 000 0  0 2 1

Box score

DES Caserta also celebrated a 1-0 win in game two of the best-of-five series, as Chantal Millard scored the lone run on a double by Bianca Novelli in the top of the fourth. In the circle Mara Papucci (W 1-0) conceded just two hits and a walk in seven scoreless innings, winning the duel against Leslie Malerich (L 0-1) who struck out eleven in seven innings, but also issued five hits, a run and a bb.

Schedule:
Saturday, October 2:
18:00 DES Caserta – Fiorini Forli
20:30 DES Caserta – Fiorini Forli*
Sunday, October 3:
10:30 DES Caserta – Fiorini Forli*
*if necessary

Live Play by Play on FIBS.it

Photos: © FIBS/Bonaconza (Kristina Thorson), FIBS/Bagattini (Mara Papucci)

Box score Game 3, Box score Game 4

After the 3-0 victory in game one was turned into a 0-7 defeat, defending champion DES Caserta had to go through four games to reach the championship series in the Italian Softball League. In game three on Saturday they Anjelica Selden allowed just a seventh-inning single in seven scoreless frames to lead Caserta to a 6-0 shutout. She struck out eight. Natali Cimin drove in two. Kate Robinson took the loss.

In the decisive fourth game DES Caserta prevailed 6-5 against Sanotint Bollate. The reigning title holder took a fast 5-3 lead after three innings, added another run in the fifth and hold on to a one-run advantage in the end. Francesca Seguella went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Kate Robinson and Valentina Marazzi combined for five hits, three runs and three RBI for Bollate. Mara Papucci picked up the win after a complete game performance. Greta Ceccetti took the loss.

(3-0) Fiorini Forli – AMGA Legnano 4-0

Box score Game 3

Fiorini Forli completed the sweep over AMGA Legnano with a 4-0 on Sunday morning after rain caused the postponement on Saturday evening. Kristina Thorson went seven strong innings, allowing just a single in the sixth and a pair of walks in the third en route to the win. She struck out 13 batters. At the plate Eva Trevisan scored two of the four runs. Lana Tye conceded four hits, four runs (3 ER) and two bb in five innings.

Italian Softball League, Semi-Finals, September 11:

(0-2) Sanotint Bollate – DES Caserta 0-3 (8), 0-10 (4)

Box score Game 1, Box score Game 2

Defending champion DES Caserta started with two shutouts over Sanotint Bollate into the best-of-five semi-final series in the Italian Softball League last Saturday. In game one a RBI single by Giovanna Palermi broke a scoreless tie in the top of the eighth before a two-run triple by Francesco Seguella sealed the 3-0 win. Anjelica Selden and Karina Cannon combined to out-duel Kate Robinson in the pitcher’s duel.

In game two Caserta put four runs on the board in the second and five in the fourth to celebrate a lopsided 10-0 victory in four innings against Bollate. Bianca Novelli went 2-for-2 with two homeruns, three runs scored and three RBI. Mindy Cowles drove in two. Mara Papucci picked up the win after four scoreless five-hit innings. Francesca Betti took the loss.

(0-2) AMGA Legnano – Fiorini Forli 0-5, 0-8

Box score Game 1, Box score Game 2

Fiorini Forli used also two excellent pitching performances to take a 2-0 lead in their semi-final series against AMGA Legnano. In game one Kristina Thorson struck out ten in seven innings, allowing just four hits and two walks. Eva Trevisan and Stephanie Ray combined for four RBI. Yan Qing Zhang took the loss after giving up four hits, two runs (1 ER) and two bb in four-plus innings.

In game two it was Leslie Malerich who dominated in the circle, issuing just four hits and three walks in seven scoreless innings. She struck out nine. Forli already took a 4-0 lead after two frames en route to an 8-0 win. Andrea Montanari homered, drove in two and scored three times overall. Michelle Musitelli Romani conceded three hits, four runs (3 ER) and three bb in 1 1/3 innings to take the loss.

Schedule:
Saturday, September 18:
18:00 DES Caserta – Sanotint Bollate
20:30 DES Caserta – Sanotint Bollate*
18:00 Fiorini Forli – AMGA Legnano
20:30 Fiorini Forli – AMGA Legnano*
Sunday, September 19:
10:00 DES Caserta – Sanotint Bollate*
10:00 Fiorini Forli – AMGA Legnano*
*if necessary

Photo: © Fastpitch/FIBS

At the beginning of September the last make-up games were played in the Italian Softball League and after a long break due to several Softball tournaments this summer, the best-of-five semi-final series in the ISL will begin on Saturday. Sanotint Bollate has to take on defending champion DES Caserta, while AMGA Legnano faces Fiorini Forli. Games one and two will be played on Saturday, games three to possible five follow one week later.

Schedule:
Saturday, September 11:
18:00 Sanotint Bollate – DES Caserta
20:30 Sanotint Bollate – DES Caserta
18:00 AMGA Legnano – Fiorini Forli
20:30 AMGA Legnano – Fiorini Forli
Saturday, September 18:
18:00 DES Caserta – Sanotint Bollate
20:30 DES Caserta – Sanotint Bollate*
18:00 Fiorini Forli – AMGA Legnano
20:30 Fiorini Forli – AMGA Legnano*
Sunday, September 19:
10:00 DES Caserta – Sanotint Bollate*
10:00 Fiorini Forli – AMGA Legnano*
*if necessary

Final Standings Regular Season:

1. DES Caserta 23-9
2. Fiorini Forli 21-11
3. AMGA Legnano 20-12
4. Sanotint Bollate 19-13
5. Madige Softball La Loggia 18-14
6. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 14-18
7. Mosca Macerata 14-18
8. Titano Hornets 12-20
9. Unione Fermana Softball 3-29

Photo: © FIBS

Results:
May 22:
AMGA Legnano – Madige Softball La Loggia 9-6, 3-2 (8)
Des Caserta – Fiorini Forli 8-7, 8-1 (6)
Sanotint Bollate – Unione Fermana 3-2, 10-1 (5)
Mosca Macerata – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 1-5, 2-0
May 26:
Des Caserta – Titano Hornets 6-2, 04

Box scores, Stats on FIBS.it

Standings:

1. AMGA Legnano 11-1
2. Des Caserta 9-5
3. Fiorini Forli 8-6
4. Madige Softball La Loggia 8-6
5. Sanotint Bollate 7-7
6. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 7-7
7. Titano Hornets 5-9
8. Mosca Macerata 4-8
9. Unione Fermana 1-11

Madige Softball La Loggia – Fiorini Forli 1-3, 6-3

Fiorini Forli scored three runs in each of the two games against Madige La Loggia. In the first one it was enough to prevail 3-1 after Serena Filiput allowed just three hits, a run and a walk in six innings. Tyleen Tausaga went 3-for-3 with a go-ahead two-run double in a three-run sixth. Brenda De Blaes hit a solo homerun for Madige. In game two La Loggia got away with a 6-3 win. Brenda De Blaes and Kelly Hardie homered. Irene Barone cleared the bases in the fifth with a double. Hardie also struck out eight in seven innings on the mound, issuing three runs (1 ER) on seven hits and a walk.

Museo D’Arte Nuoro – AMGA Legnano 5-0, 0-7 (6)

Nuoro handed Legnano the first loss of the season, winning game one of their twin bill on Saturday by a score of 5-0. Paola Cavallo went seven innings, allowing just three hits and two walks, striking out seven. Ambra Collina went deep. Loredana Spada and Maria Marchesano had two RBI each. In the second match Yan Qing Zhang surrendered just one hit and a walk in six scoreless innings to lead AMGA to a 7-0 shutout in six innings. Ilaria Pino hit a two-run homerun. Clare Warwick went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

Box scores, Stats on FIBS.it

Standings:

1. AMGA Legnano 9-1
2. Fiorini Forli 8-4
3. Madige Softball La Loggia 8-4
4. Des Caserta 6-4
5. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 6-6
6. Sanotint Bollate 5-7
7. Titano Hornets 4-8
8. Mosca Macerata 3-7
9. Unione Fermana 1-9

Results May 8:
Titano Hornets – Madige Softball La Loggia 6-13, 0-3
AMGA Legnano – Unione Fermana 7-3, 6-5
Sanotint Bollate – Des Caserta 1-3, 4-1
Fiorini Forli – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 2-5, 1-7

Box scores, Stats at FIBS.it

Standings:

1. AMGA Legnano 8-0
2. Fiorini Forli 7-3
3. Madige Softball La Loggia 7-3
4. Des Caserta 6-4
5. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 5-5
6. Sanotint Bollate 5-7
7. Titano Hornets 4-8
8. Mosca Macerata 3-7
9. Unione Fermana 1-9

Defending champion Des Caserta had to settle for a split last Saturday in the Italian Softball League. In game one they scored twelve runs in the first two frames en route to a 14-4 win four innings. Chantal Millard and Mindy Cowles both tripled and combined to drive in six. In the second match Jamee Juarez issued just one hit and a walk in seven scoreless innings to lead Macerata to an 11-0 shutout. She struck out twelve. Ana Antonetti went 4-for-4 with two runs and two RBI at the plate, as Mosca blew the score wide open with seven runs in the seventh.

Unione Fermana – Fiorini Forli 3-9, 5-6

Forli improved to 7-1 with a pair of wins against Fermana. In the first game Serena Filiput struck twelve in seven innings to lead Fiorini to a 9-3 win. Tyleen Tausaga scored three times, while Sara Avanzi drove in three. Jennifer Martinez denied the shutout for Filiput with a three-run homerun in the seventh. In game two Forli needed a two-run double by Katrina Stockford in the top of the sixth to win 6-5. Andrea Montanari picked up the win in relief of Leslie Malerich. Martinez took the loss.

Sanotint Bollate – Titano Hornets 3-2, 2-0

Bollate climbed a few spots in the standings after sweeping the Hornets. In game one Kate Robinson hit a three-run homerun in the bottom of the fifth to deliver a 3-2 win for Sanotint. Titano led since a two-run triple by Ashley Hamby in the third. In the second part of the doubleheader Tiffany Pagano gave up just three hits and three walks in seven scoreless innings to lead Bollate to a 2-0 win. She struck out nine. A two-run single by Marina Mancini in the bottom of the sixth was all they needed to secure the victory.

Madige Softball La Loggia – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 4-3 (8), 0-2

La Loggia and Nuoro settled for a split in their doubleheader. In game one Madige scored the winning run in a 4-3 victory in the bottom of the eighth on an error. Museo D’Arte had erased an early 0-3 deficit to tie the contest in the fifth. In the second game Ashley Lanz took over on the mound for Nuoro and only allowed one more base runner after a leadoff walk to Brenda De Blaes in the opening frame. 14 strikeouts in seven no-hit, no-run innings were enough to celebrate a 2-0 win. Linda Corbellini and Ylenia Pisanu scored the two runs in the third and fourth.

Box scores, Stats

Standings in Italian Softball League:

1. AMGA Legnano 6-0
2. Fiorini Forli 7-1
3. Madige Softball La Loggia 5-3
4. Des Caserta 5-3
5. Sanotint Bollate 4-6
6. Titano Hornets 4-6
7. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 3-5
8. Mosca Macerata 3-7
9. Unione Fermana 1-7

AMGA Legnano improved to 6-0 in the Italian Softball League with a sweep over Sanotint Bollate last Saturday. In game one they used an eight-run fourth to win 11-4 in five innings. Ilaria Pino homered, scored twice and drove in three. In the second game Yan Qing Zhang allowed just one hit in five scoreless innings to lead Legnano to a 7-0 shutout. She struck out eight. The offense scored all seven runs in the fifth frame. Pino had a three-run double after Monica Verga had hit a two-run single.

Madige Softball La Loggia – Unione Fermana 3-0, 3-0

Madige won both games against Fermana by scores of 3-0. In the first game Stella Turazzi gave up just one hit and a walk in six innings, while striking out seven. Brenda De Blaes hit a homerun. In the second match Kelly Hardie sat down all 21 batters she faced to throw a perfect game. She struck out twelve and retired the other nine batters with groundouts.

Museo D’Arte Nuoro – Des Caserta 2-8, 4-0

Nuoro and defending champion Des Caserta settled for a split. In game one Des Caserta scored six runs in the fifth to blow a close game wide open, winning 8-2. Francesca Seguella and Piera Rezza had two-run hits during the rally. Pamela Mazzarella reached four times and hit a homerun. In the second game Ashley Lanz struck out 13 batters in seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and five walks to lead Museo D’Arte to a 4-0 shutout. Lucie Petraskova went 3-for-3 with two RBI.

Titano Hornets – Mosca Macerata 5-4, 4-3 (10)

The Hornets moved back to .500 with two victories over Macerata. In game one they took an early 4-2 lead after three innings, but an insurance run in the sixth turned out to be decisive, as Mosca cut the deficit to a run in the seventh and threatened to tie the contest. But Jamee Juarez got thrown out the plate and Laura Campalani grounded out to second base to end the game. In the second match Titano needed a walk-off RBI single by Ashley Hamby in the bottom of the tenth to prevail 4-3. Before that each team had scored once in the fourth, eighth and ninth.

Fiorini Forli had a bye in week four.

Box scores and Stats at FIBS.it

Standings:

1. AMGA Legnano 6-0
2. Fiorini Forli 5-1
3. Des Caserta 4-2
4. Madige Softball La Loggia 4-2
5. Titano Hornets 4-4
6. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 2-4
7. Sanotint Bollate 2-6
8. Mosca Macerata 2-6
9. Unione Fermana 1-5

Fiorini Forli improved to 5-1 for the season in the Italian Softball League with two wins against the Titano Hornets on Saturday. In game one a three-run sixth broke a 1-1 tie and Forli prevailed 5-1 in the end. Melissa Giordano went 2-for-4 with two RBI. In the second match they needed an eight-inning run by Katrina Stockford on a bases loaded walk by Giordano to win 2-1. Leslie Malerich picked up win number three of the year with 14 strikeouts in eight innings.

Unione Fermana – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 6-3, 0-7 (6)

Fermana and Nuoro settled for a split in their twin bill, each getting its first win of the 2010 season. In the first game Fermana scored five runs in the sixth en route to a 6-3 victory. Carla Mucciconi and Paola Marcolini combined to drive in five runs. In the second part of the doubleheader Ashley Lanz issued just two hits in six scoreless innings to lead Museo D’Arte to a 7-0 shutout. She struck out 14. Rebecca Iaccino scored three runs in the game.

Sanotint Bollate – Mosca Macerata 4-7, 2-0

Bollate and Macerata also split the two games they played on Saturday in the ISL. In game one Mosca won 7-4 behind the four-hit performance by Barbara Ungari and the two runs by Jamee Juarez. Elisa Rocchi collected three hits and three RBI for Sanotint. Part two of the twin bill went to Bollate. Tiffany Pagano and Kate Robinson combined to allow just three hits in five walks in a 2-0 shutout. Saskia Kosterink with a RBI single in the third and Rocchi with a solo homerun in the fourth provided the run support.

The doubleheader between Des Caserta and AMGA Legnano was postponed due to rain. Madige Softball La Loggia had a bye in week three.

Box scores and Stats on FIBS.it

Standings:

1. AMGA Legnano 4-0
2. Fiorini Forli 5-1
3. Des Caserta 3-1
4. Madige Softball La Loggia 2-2
5. Mosca Macerata 2-4
6. Sanotint Bollate 2-4
7. Titano Hornets 2-4
8. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 1-3
9. Unione Fermana Softball 1-3

The Italian Softball League continued with week two on Saturday. On Tuesday Sanotint Bollate and Madige Softball La Loggia additionally made up their rained out doubleheader from opening weekend.

Results April 10:

AMGA Legnano – Mosca Macerata 9-2 (6), 5-2

AMGA Legnano improved to 4-0 with two wins over Macerata. In game one Michelle Musitelli Romani pitched six solid innings, hit a solo homerun and scored twice, while Monica Verga went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI in a 9-2 victory. Cheyenne Jenks accounted for both Mosca runs with a two-run homerun. In the second match Amanda Nikolenko allowed just one hit, two runs (1 ER) and a walk in four innings to lead AMGA to a 5-2 win. They decided the outcome with a three-run rally in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run double by Francesca Rossini.

Madige Softball La Loggia – Des Caserta 7-2, 3-6 (8)

Defending champion Des Caserta had to settle for a split on the road against La Loggia. In game one Madige scored five runs in the fifth en route to a 7-2 win. Stella Turazzi went the distance on the mound, homered and drove in three runs overall. In the second part of the twin bill Des Caserta had to score three runs in the eighth to win 6-3. Pamela Mazzarella went 3-for-4 with two RBI. Karina Cannon won the duel on the mound against Kelly Hardie. Brenda Da Blaes hit a solo homerun for La Loggia.

Museo D’Arte Nuoro – Titano Hornets 2-8, 0-4

The Hornets picked up two victories in Nuoro. Alice Ronchetti allowed just two runs on three hits and two walks to lead her team to an 8-2 win in game one. Ashley Hamby went 3-for-3 with two RBI. Hamby impressed on the mound during game two, as she only gave up three hits and two bb in seven shutout innings. She struck out seven and won the duel versus Ashley Lanz. Hamby (3 RBI) and Amanda Peek hit homeruns.

Fiorini Forli – Sanotint Bollate 4-2, 1-0

Fiorini beat out Bollate twice on Saturday. In game one they took a fast 3-0 lead through three innings and prevailed 4-2 in the end. Andrea Montanari went 2-for-3 with a homerun and three RBI. Leslie Malerich struck out nine in seven solid innings for the win. In the second game Kristina Thorson issued just one hit and a walk in seven scoreless innings to lead Forli to a 1-0 shutout. She also struck out nine. Michela Vitaliani scored the lone run of the game in the opening frame on an error by second baseman Marina Mancini.

Results April 13:

Sanotint Bollate – Madige Softball La Loggia 12-5 (6), 0-1

Bollate and La Loggia settled for a split in their doubleheader on Tuesday, a make-up from opening weekend. In game one Sanotint scored nine runs in the sixth to win 12-5. Kate Robinson hit two homeruns, scored three times and drove in five. Valentina Marazzi also homered. Debora Moretta struck out eleven for the win. In the second game Kelly Hardie missed out on the perfect game due to an error by second baseman Elisa Vanzulli in the fifth. Besides that Hardie was unhittable. She allowed no hits and no walks through seven innings to lead Madige to 1-0 shutout. She struck out 17 of 22 batters she faced, including the first twelve in a row. Brenda Da Blaes scored the lone run in the first on a sac bunt by Alice Fiorio. Tiffany Pagano struck out ten batters in 5 2/3 innings for the loss.

Box scores on FIBS.it

Standings Italian Softball League:

1. AMGA Legnano 4-0
2. Fiorini Forli 3-1
3. Des Caserta 3-1
4. Titano Hornets 2-2
5. Madige Softball La Loggia 2-2
6. Sanotint Bollate 1-3
7. Mosca Macerata 1-3
8. Unione Fermana Softball 0-2
9. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 0-2

Photo: © FIBS

Des Caserta – Unione Fermana 6-1, 7-0 (5)

Defending champion Des Caserta started with two wins over Unione Fermana into the new season. In game one Caserta scored three runs in the fourth and sixth inning each en route to a 6-1 win. Riera Rezza went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBI. Mara Papucci gave up just three hits, an unearned run and a walk in seven innings for the win.

In the second match Chantal Millard (3 runs), Mindy Cowles and Pamela Mazzarella picked up two RBI apiece to lead Caserta to a 7-0 shutout in five innings. Karina Cannon threw five scoreless no-hit, two-walk innings for the win. She struck out six.

Fiorini Forli – Mosca Macerata 0-2, 1-0 (9)

Last year’s vice champion Fiorini Forli had to settle for a split against Mosca Macerata on opening weekend in the ISL. In game one Laura Campalani conceded five hits and three walks in seven scoreless innings to lead Macerata to a 2-0 shutout. Jamee Juarez and Sara Monari drove in the runs with a sac fly in the first and a double in the seventh.

In the second match Forli prevailed 1-0 thanks to Andrea Montanari’s ninth-inning run on a throwing error by third baseman Cheyenne Jenks. Leslie Malerich dominated on the mound with twelve strikeouts in nine innings, giving up just two hits and six walks. Juarez issued just one hit, an unearned run and five bb in eight-plus frames. She struck out eleven.

Titano Hornets – AMGA Legnano 4-7, 2-7

Legnano scored seven runs in each game of a doubleheader against the Hornets and started the 2010 season in the ISL with two wins. In game one AMGA overcame a 2-4 deficit after the fourth to win 7-4. They put five runs on the board in the last two frames. Francesco Rossini went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Rita Dominica scored twice. Tereza Pochobradska had put Titano in front with a three-run triple.

In the second game Legnano again came from behind and won 7-2 after scoring six runs in the fifth. Kate Judd and Ilaria Pino hit homeruns. Brunella Parma collected three hits for the Hornets. Amanda Nikolenko received the win after throwing four scoreless two-hit innings, striking out six.

Box scores, schedules and standings on FIBS.it

Photo: © FIBS

The history portion of FIBS.it recently even got a mentioning from history professor Sergio Giuntini, who intends to compose an essay about Baseball in Italy.

“The digital Federal Museum and Hall of Fame is certainly, in my opinion, a public service that constitutes the most serious historical archive rendered by any sport’s federation in Italy to date.”

FIBS.it: History of FIBS
FIBS.it: Italian Players in the Major Leagues

Since Monday you can find all important news from the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) also in English. The FIBS has re-launched the respective section on its website FIBS.it.

The Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) released the schedule for the 2010 season in the Italian Softball League this week. It confirms that there will be nine instead of the originally planned extension to ten teams in the ISL after the withdrawal of Old Parma a few weeks ago. Madige La Loggia and Unione Fermana will be new in the lineup. The defending champion is Des Caserta, which defeated Fiorini Forli in four games in the finals last summer. Sanotint Bollate and Europromo Titano Hornets also had reached the playoffs, but were eliminated in the semi-finals.

The regular season in the ISL is scheduled to open on April 3rd will last until July 24th. Each week usually there will be two games on Saturdays, starting at 6pm and 8.30pm CET. The playoffs will start after a break on September 11th with the Italian Softball Series slated to begin on September 25th. The reason for the long interruption are the European Championship Under-22 in Prague (August 2-7), the European Cup and the European Cupwinners Cup in Haarlem (August 15-21) and the University World Championship in Macerata (August 29 – September 5).

First Week (April 3):
Titano Hornets – Amga Legnano
Des Caserta – Unione Fermana
Sanotint Bollate – Madige Sport La Loggia
Fiorini Forlì – Mosca Macerata
Bye: Museo d’Arte Nuoro

Second Week (April 10) :
Amga Legnano – Mosca Macerata
Madige Sport La Loggia – Des Caserta
Museo d’Arte Nuoro – Titano Hornets
Fiorini Forlì – Sanotint Bollate
Bye: Unione Fermana

Complete Schedule Italian Softball League

Photo: © Bagattini/FIBS

On Thursday the project ballpark in Rome hopefully made another step towards that goal. The city council of the Italian capital has approved construction of the stadium, which is designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. They are now going to identify an area in Tor Vergata to build it there. In November the FIBS had stated to build the ballpark at the “Parco delle Sabine” in Bufalotta. Tor Vergata and its “Citta dello Sport” originally was a center piece of the 2004 Olympics bid by Rome.

According to the city press release the FIBS will be responsible for the finances of the project. Additionally the statement says that the headquarters of the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) would be moved from Lausanne, Switzerland to the new complex in Rome.

Italian Baseball League:

• Carlos Alejandro Duran (San Marino)
• Eddy Jorge Garabito (Fortitudo Bologna)
• Jesus Maria Matos (Fortitudo Bologna)
• Victor Hugo Moreno (Fortitudo Bologna)
• Orlando Gregorio Munoz (Parma)
• Mihai Burlea (Parma)
• Juan Bautista Figueroa (Grosseto)
• Jesus Marquez (Catania Warriors Paternò)

Italian Softball League:

• Kate Judd (Legnano)
• Melinda Weaver (Macerata)
• Katerina Dvorakova (Caserta)
• Chantal Desiree Millard (Caserta)
• Lucie Petraskova (Nuoro)

Photo: © Ferrini/FIBS

Parma finished in last place in the ISL after the regular season with a 2-26 record, after their foreign players Shannon Doepking and Angel Shamblin had to go home early with injuries. They avoided relegation thanks to a three-game sweep against Fastpitch Roma at the end of September. Old Parma also hosted the European Cupwinners Cup last summer.

According to the report there are talks to exchange the license with a Serie A2 club, possibly Caronna. Old Parma played in the ISL for six years, having taking over the license of Crocetta Parma after the 2003 season. The Caronna Rheavendors were second in Pool A with a 33-3 record last year.

After graduating in 2008 Nikolenko went to France and played for Toulon in the European Cupwinners Cup in Bollate, Italy. She batted .350 (OBP .435/SLG .400) and had a 1-7 record with an ERA of 2.06 in eight starts (47.2 IP, 40 SO, 8 BB). She is currently working as an assistant coach at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Gentile had a .213 batting average (OBP .270/SLG .350) with two homeruns, five doubles, eight runs scored and twelve RBI in 28 games in Italy last year. She also was teammate of Rolla during the European Softball Championship in Valencia, when Italy finished in sixth place with a 3-4 overall record.

Rolla batted .418 (OBP .518/SLG .714) with three homeruns, four triples, ten doubles, 20 runs scored and 25 RBI in 32 games in her first season in the Netherlands. Murch had a 16-5 record with an ERA of 1.09 in 25 games (18 starts) in 2009. She struck out 143 in 134 1/3 innings, walking 31.

Career Stats Baseball (player data since 1960)
Career Stats Softball (player data since 1985)

Screenshot:

As mentioned starting in 2010 there will be the Italian Baseball League (IBL), split into two levels without promotion or relegation. Below there will be three levels with promotion and relegation, playing for the so-called FIBS Championship. The youth leagues structure remains the same. For us the most important part is the IBL.

Let’s take a closer look. The clubs or franchises will have one team in each of the two IBL leagues (IBL1 & IBL2) and can exchange players similar to MLB clubs and their affiliates in the Minor Leagues. In IBL1 they are allowed to have three non-EU players on the roster, while just one is allowed to play in IBL2. They also have to implement structures with general manager, secretary, press officer and marketing officer among others. The top seven teams out of 2009 will return in 2010. The only new club will be the Warrior Paternò, which will replace the relegated Palfinger Reggio Emilia.

The format in IBL1 will be the same as in 2009. During the regular season, each week there will be three games from Thursday to Saturday (or Friday, Saturday, Saturday). The semi-finals again will be played in a round robin format, followed by the best-of-seven Italian Series. The league will make two breaks; first for the European Cups in the first week of June and later for the Italian Baseball Week and the European Championships in July. Teams are allowed to use a designated hitter and the IBAF extra inning rule (only during regular season) is in effect.

In IBL2 there will be two games (on Saturdays) each week during the regular season. After that a semi-final round for all eight teams (1st-8th, 2nd-7th, 3rd-6th, 4th-5th) will follow. The best four teams reach a Final Four tournament on August 7th/8th. They will only interrupt the season for the European Cup in June, but will continue to play during July.

There also was a change announced for the Italian Softball League. The league will be extended from eight to ten teams starting in 2010. The tenth club will be relegated directly, while the ninth has to play a relegation series against the second best team from the SerieA2. They are allowed to bring in three non-EU players.

PDF-File with the complete Presentation (in Italian)

DES CASERTA has won the Italian Softball championship. They beat FIORINI FORLI in games three and four last weekend to win the best-of-five series 3-1.

(2-1) Des Caserta – Fiorini Forli 1-0

In game three Jennifer Davis (W 1-1) allowed just two hits and a walk in seven scoreless innings to lead DES CASERTA to a 1-0 shutout against FORLI. The lone run of the match was scored in the second frame on a RBI single by Giovanna Palermi. Kristina Thorson (L 1-1) issued just two hits, a run and a walk in six innings, but still had to take the loss. It was the third 1-0 game in the 2009 Italian Softball Series.

(3-1) Des Caserta – Fiorini Forli 6-1

DES CASERTA didn’t waste any time to decide the outcome of game four, putting four runs on the board in the opening period en route to a 6-1 win. Piera Rezza highlighted the rally with a bases-clearing three-run double. Melissa Sanchez later added two more runs with a double. Lisa Birocci (W 2-0) gave up five hits, a run and a walk in seven innings. Leslie Malerich (L 0-2) surrendered four hits, six runs and four bb in six innings.

Recaps Games one and two

Photo: © Bagattini/FIBS

DES 000 000 0  0 2 1
FIO 000 001 X  1 1 0

Box score

Kristina Thorson (W 1-0) struck out twelve in seven two-hit innings to lead FORLI to a 1-0 shutout in game one of the Italian Softball Series against DES CASERTA. The lone run was scored in the sixth on a throwing error by shortstop Chantal Millard. Jennifer Davis (L 0-1) issued one hit, one unearned run and a walk in six innings.

(1-1) Fiorini Forli – Des Caserta 0-1

DES 000 001 0  1 6 0
FIO 000 000 0  0 5 0

Box score

DES CASERTA came back a few hours later to even the series with an own 1-0 win. Lisa Birocci (W 1-0) surrendered just five hits and a walk in seven scoreless innings. The run also got over the plate in the sixth, when Pamela Mazzarella drove in Chantal Millard with a single. Leslie Malerich (L 0-1) conceded six hits, a run and two bb in seven innings.

Schedule:
September 12:
18:30 Des Caserta – Fiorini Forli
20:30 Des Caserta – Fiorini Forli
September 13:
10:00 Des Caserta – Fiorini Forli*
*if necessary

(3-1) Fiorini Forli – Sanotint Bollate 3-0, 6-3

FORLI took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series thanks to a no-hitter by Kristina Thorson (W 1-0). She gave up just one walk in the third in a complete game shutout, leading FIORINI to a 3-0 win. She struck out 13. Sharonda McDonald, Michela Vitaliani and Tyleen Tausaga scored the three runs in the game. Kelly Hardie (L 0-1) issued four hits and three runs (1 ER) in six innings.

In the fourth match BOLLATE had the better start, scoring three runs in the top of the first for a fast lead. FORLI needed until the bottom of the sixth to find an answer. A six-run rally, highlighted by two RBIs apiece by Eva Trevisan and Carlotta Zauli, sealed the 6-3 victory and the trip to the finals for FIORINI. Leslie Malerich (W 1-1) gave up just three unearned on two hits and four bb in a complete game win, striking out twelve. Debora Moretto (L 1-1) allowed six hits, six runs and three walks in six innings.

Game 1: Bollate – Forli 4-5 (10)
Game 2: Bollate – Forli 9-2 (5)

(3-1) Des Caserta – Europromo Titano Hornets 6-0, 3-0

DES CASERTA reached the finals in the Italian Softball League due to two shutouts against the HORNETS. In game one Jennifer Davis (W 2-0) conceded just one hit and two walks in seven scoreless innings to lead the regular season winner to a 6-0 win. She struck out ten. Pamela Mazzarella went two-for-four with four RBI. Ashley Hamby had the lone hit for EUROPROMO with a bunt single in the third. She also took the loss, surrendering four hits, three runs and four bb in two-plus innings.

In the second match it was Lisa Birocci (W 1-1) who dominated on the mound, giving up only three hits and in seven innings. Birocci also drove in the first run of the game with a RBI double in the third. Francesca Seguella added two more runs with a triple in the sixth to finalize the 3-0 win. Laura Gerussi (L 0-1) gave up four hits, two runs and four walks in five-plus innings.

Game 1: Hornets – Des Caserta 1-3 (8)
Game 2: Hornets – Des Caserta 2-1

Complete Results and Box scores

Schedule Italian Softball Series:
September 5th:
18:00 Fiorini Forli – Des Caserta
20:30 Fiorini Forli – Des Caserta
September 12th:
18:00 Des Caserta – Fiorini Forli
20:30 Des Caserta – Fiorini Forli*
September 13th:
10:00 Des Caserta – Fiorini Forli*
*if necessary

(1-1) Europromo Titano Hornets – DES Caserta 1-3 (8), 2-1

DES CASERTA won game one 3-1 last Saturday thanks to a two-run homerun by Pamela Mazzarella in the top of the eighth. Jennifer Davis struck out eleven batters in an eight-inning complete game. Ashley Hamby took the loss. In the second match EUROPROMO TITANO scored two runs in the bottom of the first on a dropped flyball en route to a 2-1 win. Anita Rosano allowed just two hits and two walks in five innings of scoreless relief for the win. Lisa Birocci took the loss.

(1-1) Sanotint Bollate – Fiorini Forli 4-5 (10), 9-2 (5)

An error in the tenth inning decided the outcome in game one, as FORLI scored twice in the top of the third extra inning in a 5-4 victory. Each team was able to scored during each of the six half innings in overtime, but the error was the difference in the end. Leslie Malerich struck out 13 in ten innings, allowing four hits, four runs (1 ER) and four bb. Kelly Hardie also went the distance, struck out eight and took the loss. In the second part of the doubleheader BOLLATE scored five runs in the second en route to a 9-2 win in five innings. Brenda De Blaes went two-for-three with two homeruns, three runs scored and four RBI. Debora Moretto picked up the win after 4 2/3 solid innings. Irene Lolli took the loss.

Games three to five are scheduled for the weekend August 29 and 30.

Box scores and Live Play by Play on FIBS.it

DES CASERTA closed out the preliminary phase with two shutouts against CASSA PADANA PARMA. In game one Chantal Millard went four-for-four with a homerun and five RBI in a 13-0 win. They opened the scoring with eight runs in the first period. In the second match Jennifer Davis and Lisa Birocci combined to allow just a single base runner on a walk in the fifth in a 7-0 shutout. Melissa Sanchez drove in four.

MOSCA MACERATA had hoped to reach the final four on the last game day. But the team had to settle for a split against FIORINI and remained in fifth place. In game one they scored a combined five runs in the fifth and sixth of an 8-6 win over last year’s champion. But FORLI got payback in game two thanks to seven two-hit innings by Leslie Malerich in a 6-0 shutout.

The HORNETS clinched the final berth with a split against MUSEO D’ARTE. In game one NUORO used a five-run third en route to a 9-2 win. Kaytlin Gentile hit two homeruns and drove in six, including a four on a grand slam. Tonya Callahan and Samantha Fleeman homered for the club from San Marino. In the second match EUROPROMO prevailed 6-4, thanks to three RBI by Bianca Novelli. Novelli and Callahan hit homeruns.

SANOTINT closed out the regular season with two losses against AMGA LEGNANO. In the first game the champion of 2007 took a fast 3-0 lead en route to a 4-2 victory. Francesca Rossini drove in two. In the second match Sonja Garnett allowed just two unearned runs on four hits and a walk in six solid innings to lead LEGNANO to a 12-2 win. Kate Judd hit the ball over the fence. Brooke Panepinto collected four hits and three runs.

Results July 11:
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – Europromo Titano Hornets 9-2 (6)
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – Europromo Titano Hornets 4-6
Fiorini Forli – Mosca Macerata 6-8
Fiorini Forli – Mosca Macerata 6-0
Cassa Padana Parma – Des Caserta 0-13 (5)
Cassa Padana Parma – Des Caserta 0-7 (5)
Sanotint Bollate – AMGA Legnano 2-4
Sanotint Bollate – AMGA Legnano 2-12 (6)

Final Standings Regular Season:

1. Des Caserta 22-6
2. Fiorini Forli 20-8
3. Sanotint Bollate 16-12
4. Europromo Titano Hornets 15-13
5. Mosca Macerata 14-14
6. AMGA Legnano 13-15
7. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 10-18
8. Cassa Padana Parma 2-26

Box scores, Stats available on FIBS.it

The team also profited from a split between the HORNETS and FIORINI. The Softball club from San Marino scored three times in the opening period of a 3-1 victory in game one. In the second match FORLI prevailed 2-1 thanks to a two-run double by Michela Vitalini. The solo homerun by Tonya Callahan in the bottom of the seventh came too late for EUROPROMO.

With the loss in game two, the HORNETS now also are in danger to drop out of the playoff-eligible top four in the standings, as MOSCA MACERATA beat SANOTINT BOLLATE twice, improved to 13-13 and reduced the deficit to fourth to a single game. In game one MACERATA won thanks to a three-run double by Kim Tollenaere in the bottom of the eighth by a score of 8-7. The lead had changed three times in the last three frames. In the second match Lucie Zappova pitched a five-inning perfect game to lead MOSCA to a 7-0 shutout. She struck out three.

On the last weekend of the regular season the playoff contenders will be on the road. The HORNETS take on NUORO, while MACERATA faces FORLI.

Results:
July 4th
Europromo Titano Hornets – Fiorini Forli 3-1
Europromo Titano Hornets – Fiorini Forli 1-2
Des Caserta – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 7-1
Des Caserta – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 3-0
Mosca Macerata – Sanotint Bollate 8-7 (8)
Mosca Macerata – Sanotint Bollate 7-0 (5)
AMGA Legnano – Cassa Padana Parma 8-1
AMGA Legnano – Cassa Padana Parma 6-2

Standings:

1. Des Caserta 20-6
2. Fiorini Forli 19-7
3. Sanotint Bollate 16-10
4. Europromo Titano Hornets 14-12
5. Mosca Macerata 13-13
6. AMGA Legnano 11-15
7. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 9-17
8. Cassa Padana Parma 2-24

Box scores and Stats on FIBS.it

DES CASERTA remains tied with FIORINI in first, as they won both games against EUROPROMO TITANO HORNETS. After a 6-2 in the first match, they needed a RBI single by Piera Rezza in the top of the ninth to win 2-1 in the second. MOSCA MACERATA also swept their two-game series in PARMA, while NUORO and LEGNANO split their twin bill.

Results:
Sanotint Bollate – Fiorini Forli 7-9, 0-8
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – AMGA Legnano 4-2, 2-5
Cassa Padana Parma – Mosca Macerata 6-8, 1-9 (5)
Europromo Titano Hornets – Des Caserta 2-6, 1-2 (9)

Standings:

1. Fiorini Forli 18-6
2. Des Caserta 18-6
3. Sanotint Bollate 16-8
4. Europromo Titano Hornets 13-11
5. Mosca Macerata 11-13
6. Mueso D’Arte Nuoro 9-15
7. AMGA Legnano 9-15
8. Cassa Padana Parma 2-22

Box scores and Stats on FIBS.it

In game one FORLI needed a run by Elisa Lolli after a throwing error by the catcher to win 3-2 in eight innings. In the second match a pair of RBI groundouts of Tyleen Tausaga and Carlotta Zauli led to the winning runs in the sixth frame of a 3-1 win by FIORINI. Leslie Malerich picked up the ‘Ws’ in both games.

The most spectacular game of the weekend was the second match between MOSCA MACERATA and MUSEO D’ARTE NUORO. The latter won 6-2 in twelve innings behind Paola Cavallo’s three RBI. Starting pitchers Courtnay Foster (12 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 6 BB, 24 SO) and Jocelin McCallum (12 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 22) combined for an unbelievable 46 strikeouts.

Results:
Fiorini Forli – Des Caserta 3-2 (8), 3-1
Mosca Macerata – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 6-5, 2-6 (12)
Sanotint Bollate – Cassa Padana Parma 8-3, 6-0
AMGA Legnano – Europromo Titano Hornets 5-6 (8), 7-0 (5)

Standings:

1. Sanotint Bollate 16-6
2. Fiorini Forli 16-6
3. Des Caserta 16-6
4. Europromo Titano Hornets 13-9
5. Mosca Macerata 9-13
6. AMGA Legnano 8-14
7. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 7-14
8. Cassa Padana Parma 2-19

Box scores and Stats on FIBS.it

EUROPROMO won both games against MACERATA by a single run. In the first match Tonya Callahan drove in the winning run with a walk-off RBI single in the eighth. In the second game it was a dropped flyball by the pitcher and a muffed throw by the shortstop, which helped the HORNETS to score two runs in the bottom of the sixth in a 2-1 win. FORLI won twice against PARMA thanks to a four-for-four performance by Sharonda McDonald in the first and ten K’s in seven shutout-innings by Leslie Malerich in the second game. BOLLATE took two from NUORO. Kelly Hardie struck out ten in a six-inning four-hit shutout in game two.

Results:
June 13
Museo D’Arte Nuoro – Sanotint Bollate 2-3, 0-7 (6)
Des Caserta – AMGA Legnano 4-3, 0-2
Europromo Titano Hornets – Mosca Macerata 5-4 (8), 2-1
Cassa Padana Parma – Fiorini Forli 10-13, 0-6

Standings:

1. Des Caserta 16-4
2. Sanotint Bollate 14-6
3. Fiorini Forli 14-6
4. Europromo Titano Hornets 12-8
5. Mosca Macerata 8-12
6. AMGA Legnano 7-13
7. Museo D’Arte Nuoro 6-13
8. Cassa Padana Parma 2-17

Box scores and Stats available on FIBS.it