Erly Casanova’s first masterpiece of the season gave Parma Clima success in the opening game of the championship.
The Cuban pitcher (7rl, 0pgl, 1bb, 4bvc, 5k) kept Grosseto’s attack scoreless for seven times, allowing his teammates to leave the Jannella diamond with a 1-0 victory.
Saccardi’s boys scored eight valid serves against the home team’s four, finding the most inspired players in Luis Gonzalez (2 out of 3) and Noel Gonzalez (2 out of 4). The only extra-base hit came from new doctor Riccardo Flisi in the seventh inning.
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For the first match of the season, Parma Clima relied on the battery made up of Casanova and Mineo. The presence on the Grosseto pitching mound of the left-handed Luis Gabriel Gonzalez (formerly Sala Baganza) led the ducal technical staff to sacrifice captain Desimoni by proposing a line of wingers made up of Flisi, Battioni and Noel Gonzalez and a diamond made up of Ascanio, Angioi, Luis Gonzalez and Encarnacion with Astorri designated hitter.
The home team responded with Garcia as catcher, Martini (formerly of Bologna) at first base, Vaglio at second, Herrera at shortstop and Barcelan at third. Franceschelli was used as designated while Piccini, Tomsjansen and Chelli lined up in the external field.
Parma Clima’s first attack ended with some recriminations. Luis Gonzalez singled to center but was called out at second base on a similar hit by Noel Gonzalez. The protests of the ducal bench were useless.
Some recriminations also for Grosseto at the change of pitch. With two outs, Barcelan and Martini hit two singles to right but Barcelan was eliminated by a valuable defensive play in an attempt to reach third base.
The visitors found the lead at the second attempt thanks to opening singles by Encarnacion and Ascanio. Astorri’s subsequent double play didn’t stop Encarnacion from scoring their first run of the season.
Parma Clima’s third attack once again ended with an out on the bases. With two outs on the board, Noel Gonzalez singled to center and pushed Luis Gonzalez to third but was eliminated by a clean assist from Tomsjansen as he attempted to turn his hit into a double.
Luckily for them, Saccardi’s boys found an inspired Casanova on the mound who finished second, third and fourth fraction with three encouraging “three up and three down”. After ten consecutive outs he handed first base to Garcia with four balls but still confidently closed the fifth inning by eliminating Franceschelli and Chelli.
At the beginning of the sixth round the veteran Antonio Noguera replaced Luis Gabriel Gonzalez (5rl, 1pgl, 6bvc, 0bb, 6k). Parma Clima immediately became dangerous thanks to an error by fielder Tomsjansen and a single by Noel Gonzalez but a double play hit by Mineo and the subsequent elimination of Ascanio prevented the guests from increasing the lead.
After four rounds of silence the Grosseto bats made themselves heard again in the sixth inning with Tomsjansen who scored a single in the center: the ducal defense found an important elimination with Mineo’s “caught steal” on the Tuscan lead-off and, after a double from Piccini, the half closed with Casanova who easily controlled a slow “comebacker” from Barcelan.
Parma Clima’s seventh attack ended without points and with full bases after a double by Riccardo Flisi and an injury that forced Battioni to leave room for Desimoni.
Casanova, who reached 67 pitches after six innings, also had the ball delivered for the seventh round and closed the match with recognized mastery by eliminating the dangerous Martini, Herrera and Garcia in quick succession.
Tomorrow, at 3pm and 8pm, the other two matches on the program will be played. The first will be reserved for Italian-trained pitchers.
