Palfinger Reggio Emilia – T&A San Marino 5-4 (12), 3-5
Reigning champion T&A San Marino had to settle for the split in their season opener on Saturday in the Italian Baseball League. Against the promoted Palfinger Reggio Emilia the Titans lost game one 4-5 in 12 innings, losing the third extra inning by a score of 3-4. Alessandro Piazza had the walk-off hit with a two-run RBI single. Luca Gregorini also drove in two for Reggio. Dario Espinoza got the win, Michele Meschini the loss. Tiago Da Silva and Antonio Bastardo squared off in a pitcher’s duel in the beginning of the match.
In game two San Marino scored four quick runs in the first three innings en route to a 5-3 victory. Wuilliuans Vasquez had two hits and three RBI. Darwin Cubilan struck out seven in four scoreless innings of two-hit relief. Felipe Crepaldi bested him for Palfinger, issuing just one walk in 4 1/3 innings in relief. However the early damage denied the sweep for the returned IBL club.
Parma Baseball – Nettuno 6-3, 10-9
Parma Baseball had a perfect start into the 2013 season. The Angels, now playing in the City colors yellow and blue, swept Nettuno. In game one four runs in the first two frames were good enough to get Orlando Munoz’ team en route to a 6-3 win. Matteo Ugolotti and Alex Sambucci had two RBI apiece. Former minor leaguer Luca Martone drove in two of the three Nettuno runs. Jose Sanchez earned the win. Andrea Pizziconi took the loss against his former teammates.
Game two turned out to be a slugfest in which Parma prevailed 10-9. A sac fly by Sambucci in the bottom of the eighth pushed the tenth run over the plate. Nettuno scored twice in the top of the ninth, but a groundout with the bases loaded ended the late threat. Sambucci, Luca Scalera and Stefano Giannetti combined for nine RBI for the home team. Andrea Sgnaolin drove in two for Nettuno. Giuseppe Mazzanti (NET) and Giannetti (PAR) hit home runs.
Toshiba Mastiff Grossetto – New Black Panthers Ronchi dei Legionari 3-6, 6-5
In a matchup of debuting IBL teams, Toshiba Mastiff Grosseto and the New Black Panthers Ronchi dei Legionari shared wins. In game one the Black Panthers scored three runs in the top of the tenth to win 6-3. Mario Miceu drove in two with a double during the rally. Vincenzo D’Addio had three RBI for Toshiba Mastiff.
In game two Livinston Santaniello scored the winning run in a 6-5 victory thanks to a fielder’s choice in the bottom half of the ninth. Grosseto had erased a 0-4 deficit earlier in the game. Santaniello had three hits and two runs. D’Addio drove in two more. Matt Litzinger struck out eight in five scoreless four-hit innings.
Telemarket Rimini – Godo Knights 8-3
One day after defeating the Godo Knights in the IBL opener, Telemarket Rimini completed a sweep with an 8-3 win on Saturday. Mario Chiarini and Alexander Romero once again sparked the Pirates offense, combining for three doubles and five RBI. Eugenio Monari had two RBI for Godo. Roberto Corradini won the duel on the mound against Matteo Galeotti.
The doubleheader between Unipol Bologna and Novara Baseball, which also was planned for Saturday, got postponed due to rain. One game will be made up this Sunday.
Photo by Francesco Pizzioli