Australia came back from behind to win, 3-2, against Italy in dramatic fashion. The azzurre took an early lead and were twice just one strike aways from a surprise win

Italy was off a stunning start, sending to the showers aussie starter Ellen Roberts with a couple of solo homers in the top of the first. Designated player Amanda Fama led off with a homer to right and, with one out, catcher Erika Piancastelli went deep over the center field fence.

Italian starter Ilaria Cacciamani took a no hitter into the fourth. With 2 outs, she walked shortstop Warwick and gave up a single to catcher Carmelle Sorensen, the first hit of the game for Australia. Greta Cecchetti took over for Cacciamani with runners at the corners and ended the threat when she got second baseman Melinda Weaver looking at a third strike off speed pitch.

Australia got on the scoreboard in top of the fifth. Stacey Porter reached on an error by second baseman Lara Cecchetti, got to second on a ground out and scored on a base hit by center fielder Leigh Godfrey.

In the top of the seventh, with one out, Porter singled to become the potential tying run at first. Australia loaded the bases with 2 outs (Cecchetti couldn’t field a comebacker by Leigh Godfrey and walked Jade Wall). With the bases loaded and a full count, pinch hitter Samantha Poole hit a grounder to second. Italian shortstop Marta Gasparotto failed to control the assist by second baseman Lara Cecchetti and Porter scored the tying run from third. Wall became the third out as she tried to score the go ahead run from second.

Australia scored the winning run in the top of the eighth. The at bat began with pinch runner Whitefield placed at second according to the tie break rule. Taylah Tsitsikronis bunted her to third and a sacrifice fly to right by Clare Warwick scored Whitefield from third.

In the bottom half of the frame Italy failed to advance the runner placed at second, when Rotondo became the first out at third on a grounder by Fabrizia Marrone. With Marrone at second, the game ended when a line drive by Laura Vigna landed right in the glove of third baseman Porter.

Rotondo is out at third in the bottom of the eighth

Italy did compete also against Canada, but ended losing, 1-0, another close game.
In the bottom of the second center fielder Larissa Franklin tripled to left. The azzurre starter Cecchetti walked Nicole Schroeder and Canada scored as catcher Natalie Wideman managed to put the ball in play, allowing Franklin enough time to reach home safe.

Italy got 2 hits against Sara Ann Plourde, who went 4 innings and was helped in the fourth by a great sliding catch by rightfielder Victoria Hayward on a deep fly by Erika Piancastelli.
Reliever Danielle Lawrie dominated the italian lineup, striking out 8 in 3 innings.
The only chance to score came for Italy in the second, when Mariel Bertossi singled. Amanda Fama failed to bunt her to second. Bertossi advanced anyway on a wild pitch, but Lawrie ended the threat with back to back strikeouts on Piancastelli and Gasparotto.

Larissa Franklyn scored Canada’s winning run