Women's Softball European Premier Cup: day five recap
The Women's Softball European Premier Cup 2023 in Saronno, Italy, continued its exhilarating journey on its fifth day, determining the contenders for the coveted title of European Champions.
With Olympia Haarlem from the Netherlands having already secured their spot on the previous day, the focus shifted to the teams battling it out for the second spot in the championship game of the Women's Softball European Premier Cup.
The host team, Saronno, secured their place in the championship game. In a pivotal game against Joudrs Praha from the Czech Republic, Saronno emerged victorious with a convincing score of 8-1. The game remained evenly balanced until the fifth inning, when Saronno's ARMIROTTO hit a grand slam, igniting a four-run surge. The momentum continued in the sixth inning as MARRONE's walk-off single sealed the victory via the mercy rule.
Meanwhile, on the adjacent field in Legnano, Chicaboo's Stabroek from Belgium triumphed over Les Pharaons from France with a score of 6-3, securing the ninth position. Unfortunately, the French loss led to their relegation to the lower pool, the Women's Softball European Cup, in 2024.
Rivas Madrid from Spain emerged victorious against Tex Town Tigers from the Netherlands, clinching a 3-1 win. Rivas Madrid's explosive first inning, highlighted by a homerun by SOJO Yaicey, a hit by SOTO Yaleisa and a walk TORRE, set the tone for their triumph. Despite a homerun by OOSTING from Tex Town Tigers, Rivas Madrid secured their victory.
In a separate game at Legnano, Vienna Wanderers from Austria defeated Wittenbach Panthers from Switzerland with a commanding score of 7-0, claiming the seventh rank. Wittenbach Panthers secured the eighth position in the standings.
The afternoon witnessed a clash between Bonn Capitals from Germany and Joudrs Praha from the Czechia. Bonn Capitals emerged victorious with a score of 5-1, solidifying their spot in the bronze medal game. A tight contest unfolded, with Bonn Capitals taking the lead in the first inning, and Joudrs Praha managing to equalize in the fifth. However, a swift response from Bonn Capitals in the same inning, resulting in four runs, secured their triumph.
The night's spotlight belonged to the highly anticipated game between Saronno (ITA) and Olympia Haarlem (NED). The matchup proved to be a pitching and defensive duel: fourteen runners were left on bases throughout the game. Saronno had a promising chance in the top of the seventh inning: with one out, BARTOLI doubled, MARRONE was intentionally walked and LOZADA LAGO singled in the right side, BARTOLI ran at home but was out on a great throw by HOP from right field.. The dramatic conclusion came in the bottom of the seventh, where CLARIJS doubled, ran to third on a sacrifice bunt and then scored on a squeeze play by HOP, MVP of the game with 6.1 innings pitched.
The tournament's schedule continues with the Bronze Medal Game between Bonn Capitals (GER) and Rivas Madrid (ESP) at 09:30 in Saronno. The pinnacle of the event, the Gold Medal Game featuring Olympia Haarlem (NED) and Saronno (ITA), is set to take place at 12:00.
Both games will be streamed on the WBSC Europe YouTube Channel and play-by-play will be available on the website.
