Italian Baseball Series Game 1:
Fortitudo Bologna – T&A San Marino 2-1
SMA 001 000 000 1 2 1 BOL 000 000 02X 2 7 1
BOLOGNA prevailed in a pitcher’s duel in game one of the Italian Baseball Series. They beat defending champion SAN MARINO 2-1 in nine innings. T&A struck first and took the lead in the top of the third frame, when Ricardo Suardi was hit by a pitch starting off the inning, moved to second on a sac bunt by Simone Albanese and crossed the plate on a two-out double by Martin Vasquez.
FORTITUDO needed until the eighth to get into the game offensively. Giovanni Pantaleoni led off with a six-pitch walk and advanced to third on a single by Eddy Garabito. Pantaleoni tied the contest, when he scored on a wild pitch by reliever Luis Ramirez, who just had entered the game. After a single by Claudio Liverziani and an intentional walk for Richard Austin, Juan Angrisano stepped to the plate and ripped a single to right field, bringing home Garabito for the decisive 2-1 lead.
Jesus Matos (BOL) conceded just two hits, one run and a walk in seven innings, striking out eight. Victor Moreno (W 1-0) replaced him in the eighth and struck out four of the six batters he faced to pick up the win. The duo combined to allow just one base runner for SAN MARINO after the third inning. Horacio Estrada (L 0-1) issued five hits, two runs and three bb in seven-plus innings. He struck out seven.
1,600 people were in attendance at the Gianni Falchi ballpark in Bologna. Game two of the series will be played on Saturday at 9pm CET, again with home field advantage for FORTITUDO.
Photo: FIBS