Unipol Bologna – Telemarket Rimini 10-0 (7)
Rimini 000 000 0 0 1 2 Bologna 210 100 6 10 6 1
Unipol Bologna made a statement in game one of the European Champions Cup on Thursday. On home soil Fortitudo defeated Telemarket Rimini 10-0 in seven innings. 2,200 people were in the stands of Gianni Falchi stadium to witness a demonstration of the defending champion.
Raul Rivero issued just one hit and two walks in seven scoreless innings, while striking out nine. His offense gave him a quick 3-0 lead through two frames, thanks to a RBI fielder’s choice by Claudio Liverziani and a RBI single by Luca Bischeri in the first and a solo home run by Juan Carlos Infante in the second.
After Marco Sabbatani added another solo shot in the fourth, Bologna blew the score open with six runs in the seventh, which also led to an early ending due to ten-run mercy rule. Rimini’s pitchers imploded during the big rally, as the host didn’t need any hits or errors to score the six runs. Seven walks and two hit batters led to the damage.
Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez took the loss, conceding five hits, four runs (2 ER) and three walks in four innings.
Game two and if necessary game three will be played in Rimini tonight and on Saturday. Games start at 9pm. TV coverage of RAI Sport 2 starts at 10.30pm. It is available via live stream.
Photo: FIBS