 ITALY HEADED TO 2004 OLYMPICS
2003-06-29
Three teams entered the final day of play at the Africa/Europe Olympic qualifier in Italy with the hope of being the one left standing, meaning, a trip to Athens, Greece in 2004 for the Summer Games.
The day began with the Czech Republic taking on the Netherlands, with the winner to go on to play Italy to decide which team would win the qualifier. The Czechs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, only to have the Netherlands come right back in the top of the second and tie it up. That’s how the score remained until the Czechs came up with a three-run fifth inning and went on to a 4-1 victory. Winning pitcher Eliska Pojerova limited the Netherlands to just three hits and seven of her teammates combined for nine hits to set up a rematch of the previous day’s 7-0 loss to Italy.
The Czechs would soon find that they were not on their way to their first
Olympic Games appearance, but instead, en route to another seven-run loss.
Italy saved their biggest offensive output for the biggest game, winning 9-2.
They came right out of the chute with four runs in the top of the first, with
the Czechs coming right back with two of their own in the bottom half of the
inning. But Italy’s attack continued on, getting three more runs in the top of
the third including a home run by third baseman Natalie Anter to pull away.
Daniella Castellani had a game-high four RBI.
The Italians now join Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Greece, Japan, and the
United States in the lineup of teams that will participate in August 2004 at
the Olympics. Next month the final team will be determined as the Americas
region Olympic qualifier takes place in Puerto Rico from July 20-27.
Italy will make their second straight Olympic appearance, having gone in 2000
but not in 1996 when today’s game one loser, the Netherlands, did.
Recap the Africa/Europe Olympic qualifier on the event’s official website using
the link below.
Post your comments about it in the “Our National Team” and/or “General
Discussion” categories using the ISF Forum link below.
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