JFK Mondovì Stumbles Then Rebounds in Italian Baseball Serie B Opener
MONDOVÌ, Italy — The JFK Mondovì baseball club showed resilience in their Serie B season opener, overcoming an early defensive lapse to secure a 7-4 victory over the visiting Buffaloes Bovisio at Stadio Comunale di Mondovì on Saturday afternoon. The win, fueled by a late offensive surge, marks a promising start for the “Galletti” as they aim to climb the standings in Italy’s competitive second-tier baseball league.
After a shaky start that saw Mondovì concede three runs in the second inning due to a pair of errors and a timely double by Buffaloes’ leadoff hitter, the home team answered back in the bottom of the third. Designated hitter Lorenzo Ricci delivered a two-run single to cut the deficit to 3-2, setting the tone for a comeback driven by disciplined at-bats and aggressive base running.
The turning point came in the fifth inning when center fielder Julian Pedrouzo launched a towering home run to left-center field that cleared the stadium’s batter’s eye and landed beyond the fence — a shot estimated at 120 meters by stadium officials, one of the longest in recent Serie B history. The blast gave Mondovì a 4-3 lead they would not relinquish.
“We knew coming in that we had to stay patient and wait for our pitch,” said Mondovì manager Marco Tullio after the game. “Julian’s swing was exactly what we needed — he’s been working on driving the ball to the opposite field all spring, and it paid off today. That kind of power changes the momentum.”
Pedrouzo, a 24-year-old import from Argentina who joined Mondovì in the offseason after playing in the Venezuelan Winter League, finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a walk. His performance earned him Player of the Game honors from the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS), which oversees Serie B competition.
The Buffaloes, managed by veteran coach Daniele Vittori, threatened late. Bovisio loaded the bases in the seventh with one out against Mondovì reliever Alessandro Gallo, but Gallo induced a groundout to shortstop and struck out the side to end the threat. Mondovì added insurance runs in the eighth via an RBI double by catcher Filippo Neri and a sacrifice fly by utility player Matteo Santoro, extending the lead to 7-3 before Bovisio scored a meaningless run in the ninth.
Gallo, making his first appearance of the season, pitched two scoreless innings of relief, striking out three and walking none. Starter Luca Moretti labored through four innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out four. The performance highlighted Mondovì’s growing pitching depth, a key focus during preseason training at their facility in the Piedmont region.
The victory improves Mondovì to 1-0 in Serie B Girone A, placing them tied for first with the Parma Clima Juniors and San Marino Baseball Club, both of whom also won their openers. Bovisio falls to 0-1 and will look to rebound when they host the Ravenna Royals next weekend.
For Mondovì, the win validates an offseason strategy focused on blending experienced Italian veterans with strategic international additions. Pedrouzo’s arrival, along with the signing of Cuban pitcher Yosvany Torres (who is awaiting visa clearance), signals the club’s ambition to not only compete but potentially challenge for promotion to Serie A2, the league just above Serie B.
“We’re building something special here,” Tullio said. “It’s not just about one game — it’s about consistency, about getting better every day. Today showed we can fight back when things don’t go our way. That’s what wins championships.”
The atmosphere at Stadio Comunale was energetic despite the modest crowd of approximately 450 fans, according to club officials. Families and local youth teams filled the bleachers, waving flags and chanting in support — a testament to Mondovì’s deep roots in the community. The club, founded in 1978, has long served as a developmental hub for young talent in northwest Italy.
Looking ahead, Mondovì will travel to face the Padova Baseball Club in a midweek fixture on Wednesday, April 10, at 3:00 PM local time (1:00 PM UTC). Padova, who lost their opener to San Marino, will look to bounce back on their home field. The game will be streamed live on the FIBS YouTube channel, with audio commentary available via the federation’s official app.
As Serie B continues to grow in visibility and competitiveness, performances like Mondovì’s opener remind fans that baseball in Italy thrives not just in the major cities but in passionate regional clubs where the game is played with grit, pride, and an ever-improving level of skill.
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