The Italian National Team banged out 17 hits and Carlos RICHETTI tossed six perfect innings as Italy trounced Ukraine 13-0 on Saturday.
RICHETTI, who was 5-4 with a 3.00 ERA for Nettuno in the Italian Baseball League this past season, struck out four and did not give up a hit or walk in six innings on the mound. Giuseppe NORRITO and Matteo D’ ANGELO pitched the final two frames to seal the shutout victory.
Giuseppe MAZZANTI scored four runs and led the hit parade going 4-for-5 while Davide DALLOSPEDALE and Mario CHIARINI both added two hits. Laidel CHAPELLI connected for a two-run homer for Italy who led only 2-0 before breaking open the game with 11 runs the final four innings.
Ukraine starter Ihor LITVINCHUK was roughed up for five hits and four runs in only 1.2 innings while teammate Oleksand TROFYMENKO surrendered two runs and three hits in one frame. Designated hitter Ruslan DEYKUN collected the only hit for Ukraine.
Italy (1-0) will battle France (1-0) while Ukraine (0-1) will meet Spain (0-1) on Sunday in Pool B action.