The challenge of Erba Vita New Rimini ends with two clear defeats to the leaders of group C, Comcor Modena, which therefore remains unbeaten at the end of the first round.
The prediction on the eve, all for the Emilians, was confirmed on the pitch, with Mike Romano’s boys who managed to keep the two games in balance until the mound held up. Some mistakes and the difficulty in the batting box then shifted the balance and led to a double defeat against an undoubtedly high-level opponent.
Worth noting is the return to the team of Ricky Bertagnon, the glory of Rimini baseball who in recent years had accompanied many of the New Rimini boys in their growth and who has now given his availability for this final phase of the championship. An important addition, both of a technical nature and for Bertagnon’s charisma, certainly useful for such a young team struggling with the race to safety. Thunderous applause for Elio Gambuti, the unforgettable Rimini baseball champion, who was entrusted with the first ball in Race 2.
Race 1
Alessandro Di Giacomo starts on the mountain, confirming the excellent moment of form. For him 6 innings launched, 2 points conceded, 4 hits, 3 bases balls and 5 strike outs.
On the other hand, Erik Soto Lopez, who will only collect a double from Andrea Gabrielli and a single from Enrico Cianci. Too little to worry the guests who are ahead 2 to 0 at the dawn of the seventh.
After 94 launches Di Giacomo is taken over by Tommaso Aiello and unfortunately the impact is not good, with the upper part of the Emilian line up that touches the relief hard. With two points collected, Romano changes again and it’s up to Giancluca Tognacci is welcomed by a double from Pompilio; two more points for Modena definitively split the game. The inning ends with six points collected, with Modena rounding off thanks to a triple from Campazzi and a single from Bakkali. At the eighth he descends from Mount Soto Lopez and for New Rimini there is Bertagnon’s entrance. Meanwhile, two more points arrive that close the contest in the eighth inning at 10 to 0.
Race 2
In the race of foreign pitchers for Erba Vita New Rimini, Nicolò Ioli is the starter, on the other side the Venezuelan Hurtado. Balance for two innings, then in the third it is Martone’s three-point home run that moves the game towards Modena, which ends with another point, a consequence of Bakkali’s double.
New Rimini tries to react: double by Enrico Cianci, single by Cifalinò that pushes him home, but three outs follow in a short time. In the fourth inning Ridolfi takes over from Ioli on the mound at home. At the fifth Modena scores with Campazzi. While New Rimini continues to find no valid, in the sixth Modena closes the race scoring another 4 points with two home runs, by Martone and Pompilio, both from two points. Muccini takes over Ridolfi and the innings ends there. Another two points to the eighth for Modena, which in the meantime also sends the stainless Cipriano Ventura onto the mountain. On the Rimini front, the only valid one remains, too little to hope to keep up with such a strong opponent. A jolt only at the eighth, with the hits of Pini and Giovannini, but the result remains 11 to 1 and the race ends.
Next Saturday another home round for Erba Vita New Rimini, which will host Oltretorrente. Races at 15.30 and 20.30.
