Emiliano GINANNESCHI closed the door on Nettuno’s championship hopes and season as Grosseto captured the 2007 Italian Baseball League title with a 5-4 win in Game 7. The ace reliever, who earned a 4-3 victory in Game 6 in 10 innings, registered the final out of the game to pick up the save.
Grosseto’s ace pitcher Lincoln MIKKELSEN secured his second win of the series and was coasting until Nettuno scored four runs in the ninth frame to make things interesting. MIKKELSEN surrendered four runs on nine hits in 8.2 innings of work.
Shortstop Raul MARVAL led the offensive charge going 2-for-4 with a run and three RBI’s. Davide DALLOSPEDALE was 3-for-5 and scored two runs while Gino LOLLIO was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI’s for the new Italian champs.
Nettuno ace Giovanni CARRARA took the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits in just 4.1 innings. Top reliever Frailyn FLORIAN turned in another fine performance for the vice-champions limiting Grosseto to one run on four hits in 3.2 innings with six strikeouts.
Grosseto raced out to an early lead with a three-run first inning and entered the final inning with a seemingly comfortable 5-0 lead. But similar to Game 6 – when Nettuno scored twice in the ninth to force extra innings – the visitors tagged MIKKELSEN four times to revive their playoff hopes. But there would be no miracles this night.
Manager Mauro MAZZOTTI brought in GINANNESCHI to end the game and bring the championship trophy to Grosseto.