Italy has traveled to Arizona for its training camp prior to the 2013 World Baseball Classic a couple of days ago. After five practice days the team of manager Marco Mazzieri played its first exhibition game in Peoria against a team of Seattle Mariners minor leaguers on Tuesday. They lost 1-5 despite two hits apiece of Mattia Reginato and Paolino Ambrosino. Panerati, Mariotti, Da Silva, Cicatello, Burkard, Grifantini and Pugliese took the mound for the Italian squad.
Today another warm-up against the Mariners will follow with Maestri, Sweeney, Torra, Crabbe, Venditte, Serafini and D’Amico excepted on the mound. The Major Leaguers including Alex Liddi who visited the team yesterday are scheduled to arrive in training camp on Sunday. Italy is facing Team USA, Canada and Mexico in the first round. Their pool will be played in Phoenix, Arizona.