On Sunday the defending Italian Serie A Champions Palfinger Reggio Emilia hosted the Munich-based Haar Disciples in a double header, splitting against the Germans who travelled to Italy for Spring Training.
Game 1
The Disciples jumped out to an early lead, with 2B Lukas Steinlein driving a 2-out single to the outfield for 2 RBI’s. In the 6th inning, they extended their lead to 4-0 off the bats of RF Simon Mantz and SS Ryan Lee. P Nils Hartkopf kept Reggio off the board over 6 strong innings, scattering a few hits and walks in his final tune-up for the upcoming Bundesliga season. In the 7th, Hartkopf was relieved by Tony Bauschat, and Reggio was lead by Paul Macaluso and Mike Marmo in cutting the deficit to 4-2. Haar responded in the top of the 8, by putting runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out, and pulling off a double steal to cushion their lead at 5-2. That would be the final score, with Bauschat settling down and pitching two scoreless innings to pick up the save. For Reggio, offseason addition Mattia Salsi closed in the 9th, as is expected for the regular season.
Game 2
Reggio’s Dario Espinoza started on the hill against fellow young talent Michael Wöhrl. Both players threw scoreless innings before being relieved by Josh Rickards for Reggio and Michael Stephan for Haar. On offense, Reggio struck first, putting up 3 in the 3rd against Stephan. Rickards, familiar with Haar from the German Bundesliga playoffs, was able to escape a bases loaded threat allowing just an RBI sacrifice fly to Stephan in the 5th which scored Moritz Polixa. With that, the final score of 3-1 saved a split for the hosts.
Reggio starts the regular season with a bye, as they begin their title defense of the Serie A with a deep pitching staff and experienced lineup. For the Haar Disciples, they will play another game in Italy before returning home to host Regensburg to open the Bundesliga season on the weekend.