Giulia Koutsoyanopulos drives in four, helps Italy beat Philippines in 3rd v 4th playoff

Italy defeated the Philippines, 6-5, in a tight and thrilling game played in Castions di Strada, Italy, for the playoffs of the Women’s Softball World Cup Group C. Giulia Koutsoyanopulos homered in the second inning for Italy and commanded a 10-hit offensive effort.

Philippines jumped ahead in the score in the top of the first. Alaiza Talisik found leadoff hitter on second base with two outs, and she delivered a single to put her team in front.

One inning later, a three run shot by Giulia Koutsoyanopulos put Italy in command of the game for the first time. The Italian outfielder extended on a low-and-away pitch and unleashed a towering home run over the center field, recording the first three Italian runs.

The Asian team tied the ballgame in the top of the third, on a clutch two-out, two-run single of the bat of Elsie De la Torre, to plate Skylynne Ellazar and Francesca Altomonte. But Italy answered with two runs on four hits in the bottom half of the inning, including RBI singles by Koutsoyanopulos and Giulia Longhi.

In the top of the fourth, after a two and a half hour rain delay, the resilient Philippines tied the game one more time with a line-drive double to the centre field by Altomonte, driving in Angelu Gabriel and Rayae Villamin.

However, Italy would take again the lead in the bottom half of the same inning. Alessandra Rotondo hit a leadoff double, and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Then McKenzie Barbara hit a fly in shallow right field forcing second baseman Mary Joy Maguad make a nice over the shoulder catch, allowing Rotondo to score from third.

Alice Nicolini was the winning pitcher for Italy, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings in relief, with three hits and two strikeouts.

With this result, Italy advanced to the Repechage Game, while Philippines finish their participation in fourth place in Group C.