Piacenza Youth Baseball Teams Secure Weekend Victories After Opening Loss

Piacenza’s youth baseball squads rebounded from a difficult start to the season with a pair of victories over Sala Baganza, earning their first wins of the 2026 campaign.

After an opening weekend that left the biancorosse squads searching for answers, both the U15 and U12 teams delivered strong performances in their rematch against the Emilian rivals. The U15 squad claimed a 7-6 home win at Stadio De Benedetti in a tightly contested seven-inning affair, while the U12 team dominated on the road with a 6-0 shutout victory.

The turnaround marked a significant improvement from the team’s opening results, where the U15 suffered a 9-0 loss to Reggio Emilia and the U12 fell 18-11 to Langhirano in their respective season openers.

U15 Edges Sala Baganza in Tight Home Contest

In the U15 matchup, Sala Baganza struck first, jumping to a 3-0 lead in the opening inning. Piacenza responded with resilience, chipping away at the deficit to grab a 5-4 advantage heading into the final frame.

However, the visitors regained the lead in the top of the seventh, pushing ahead 6-5 before the home team’s final at-bat. With the season on the line, Piacenza delivered in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs to seal a 7-6 victory and avoid what would have been a disappointing sweep.

The winning lineup featured Dragoni at third base, Rosario at shortstop, Jimenez M. As catcher, Bertonazzi E. At first base, Boiocchi on the mound, Mendoza in center field, Martinez in left field, Riva in right field, and Jimenez F. At second base. Wakonyu, Orefice, and Oliveira saw action as substitutes during the contest.

Boiocchi earned the win on the mound after navigating a tense final inning, while the late-inning rally highlighted the team’s ability to perform under pressure — a stark contrast to their season-opening shutout loss.

U12 Delivers Dominant Shutout Performance

Meanwhile, the U12 squad traveled to Sala Baganza and delivered one of their most complete performances of the young season, shutting out the hosts 6-0.

The victory represented a major rebound from their opening loss to Langhirano, where they allowed 18 runs and struggled to contain the opposition’s offense. Against Sala Baganza, the Piacenza pitchers controlled the zone effectively, limiting baserunners and capitalizing on defensive opportunities.

While specific player statistics for the U12 game were not detailed in available reports, the shutout underscored significant improvement in both pitching execution and team defense compared to their season debut.

Opening Weekend Struggles Set Stage for Response

Piacenza’s youth teams began the 2026 season with disappointing results. On April 15, the U15 franchise — operated in conjunction with Codogno — was overwhelmed 9-0 by Reggio Emilia in their season opener. Simultaneously, the U12 squad dropped an 18-11 decision to Langhirano at Montesissa.

Reports from that opening weekend noted that while both Piacenza squads showed competitiveness in the early innings, opposing teams pulled away in the later frames due to lapses in execution and bullpen consistency.

The turnaround just one week later suggests adjustments in preparation, player readiness, or tactical approach paid immediate dividends against familiar competition.

What This Means Moving Forward

Back-to-back wins over Sala Baganza provide Piacenza’s youth programs with valuable momentum as they aim to climb the standings in their respective leagues. For the U15 team, the victory proves they can compete with top-tier opposition when executing fundamentals under pressure. For the U12 squad, the shutout offers confidence that their opening loss was an anomaly rather than a indicator of deeper issues.

Both teams will look to build on this success in their upcoming fixtures, though specific schedules and next opponents were not detailed in the verified sources consulted for this report.

The performances also reflect positively on the coaching staffs, including U12 technicians Avila and D’Auria, who were noted in opening weekend coverage for their roles with the younger squad.

As the 2026 youth baseball season progresses, Piacenza’s ability to maintain this level of consistency will be key to determining how far both squads can advance in postseason contention.

For now, the biancorosse can celebrate a much-needed weekend of success — one that transformed early frustration into tangible progress on the diamond.

Want to share your thoughts on Piacenza’s youth baseball resurgence? Join the conversation below and let us know how you think the teams will fare as the season unfolds.