Italian bats rally, earn berth in final with 10-1 win

Team Italy scored five runs in each of the second and third innings to power their way past the Czech Republic to a 10-1 victory in five innings. The host Czechs, who thrilled the large number of fans who came out all week, have to settle for the bronze medal, while the Italians will get another shot at the Netherlands in this afternoon´s final.

Earlier this week, the Czech Republic defeated Italy 4-3 in one of the most memorable games of this Women´s European Championship. In that game, the Italians had lots of chances but couldn´t take advantage. This time they did. Italy actually got only 9 hits in the game, but managed to squeeze 10 runs from that, stranding only four runners on base.

The damage was all done in the second and third innings, putting up a five-spot in each. The big sluggers were the second and third hitters in the lineup--Sandra Bosdachin was 1-for-2 with a bases-loaded walk, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored and Andrea Montanari was 3-for-3 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI.

The 10-run lead they accumulated after three innings meant that pitcher Greta Ceccetti and the Italian defence just needed one more shutout inning to enforce the four-inning mercy rule. However, Lucie Mariskova stroked a two-out single into left field to score Petra Broukalova to keep the game alive one more inning.

In four innings, Cecchetti gave up just the 1 run on 5 hits with 2 strikeouts. Mara Papucci then came on in relief to set the top of the Czech lineup down in order in the top of the fifth to end the game.

Post-Game Comments:

Paola Marfoglia (assistant coach for Team Italy): "The last time we played the Czechs we got a lot of hits, but left a lot of runners on base. Today we were much more efficient in our production. Also, the players felt the atmosphere much more before, which led to a lot of mistakes. I wouldn´t say they were nervous, but it was very loud and difficult to communicate. Today, they were much more focused on the task at hand, which was getting to the final. As for the Netherlands, everybody knows they are a very good team, but I think we can play better than we did yesterday. If we play our best, we can give them a good game."

Lenka Jaklova (designated player for Team Czech Republic): "What we´ve done at this tournament at home is amazing. The sadness is temporary, but when we wake up tomorrow and see our medals, we´ll be happy. It was a great tournament, I would not change anything. Our fans fed us incredible energy. There are so many of them that it radiated onto us. We would like to thank them very much."