One week before the Italian Baseball League opens its gates for the 2009 season, the Italian Softball League got underway last weekend. The eight teams of 2008 are back, including defending champion FIORINI FORLI.
Firoini Forli – Museo D’Arte Nuoro 3-4 (Box score), 2-0 (Box score)
FORLI already suffered the first loss of the season, losing the opener 3-4 against NUORO. However they recovered in game two and struck back in a 2-0 shutout behind the 17 strikeouts in seven innings of Leslie Malerich.
Europromo Titano Hornets – Cassa Padana Parma 12-0 (Box score), 9-0 (Box score)
EUROPROMO TITANO celebrated two shutouts over CASSA PADANA, scoring 21 runs in just ten innings. In game two Ashley Hamby and Samantha Fleeman combined to throw a five-inning no-hitter.
Sanotint Bollate – Des Caserta 1-3 (Box score), 2-8 (Box score)
Also two victories were captured by DES CASERTA against SANOTINT BOLLATE. Lisa Birocci hit the lone homerun of the opening weekend in game two.
Mosca Macerata – AMGA Legnano 4-2 (Box score), 0-9 (Box score)
MOSCA MACERATA and LEGNANO settled for a split. In game one Laura Campalani struck out eight in seven solid innings and also drove in a run. In the second match Justine Smethurst punched out eight in four innings to lead AMGA to a shutout. Ilaria Pino drove in three.
Batter of the Week:
Simone Morrow (AMGA Legnano): 6-8, 2 Runs, 2 RBI
Pitcher of the Week:
Leslie Malerich (Fiorini Forli): 7 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 17 SO
Complete Schedule Italian Softball League
Photo: © FIBS