Forlì wins the Italian Softball Series
Just like in August at the final of the Women's Softball European Premiere Cup, Forlì and Bollate faced at the Italian Softball Series. Forlì swept Bollate in three games to win its fifth Italian National Title.
Forlì is the 2021 softball Champion of Europe and Italy after winning the Women's Softball European Premiere Cup in August and the Italian Softball Series in October.
On the first weekend, Forlì took the 2-0 lead in the Italian Softball Series. Game one saw two Italian National Team pitchers opposed: Greta Cecchetti and Ilaria Cacciamani. Forlì scored the only two runs of the game at the top of the third: Laghi and Ghilardi singled and later crossed home plate on an error. In the second game, Forlì got on the board first in the top of the second inning with one run: Carlotta Onofri singled, advanced to third on a double by Laghi, and scored on an error. Bollate tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning: Costa singled, advanced to second on a bunt by Chiodaroli, and scored on an error. Piancastelli regained the 2-1 lead for Forlì with a solo home run. In the top of the seventh inning, Vigna and Cerioni scored to put Poderi Dal Nespoli Forlì on top 4-1.
The series moved to Forlì for the second weekend of the Italian Softball Series. Bollate took the lead, scoring once in the top of the fourth when Elisa Cecchetti singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Fumagalli. Forlì answered in the bottom of the fourth with five runs. With base loaded, Cerioni hit a two-RBI single to put Forlì on top 2-1. Laghi, Cerioni, and Vigna then scored thanks to two errors by Bollate's defense to take the score to 5-1. Bollate reacted scoring once when Fama hit an RBI single to make it a 5-2 game. In the bottom of the sixth, Forlì added a secure run when Spiotta scored on a wild pitch to put the game out reach 6-2.
Miriana Cerioni (Forlì) earned MVP honors.
The third game of the Italian Softball Series marked the umpire Gianluca Magnani's last official game before retirement. Magnani took part in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as the first softball umpire to ever be appointed to two Olympic Games.
/ Cover photo by Grega Valancic