San Marino Erupts Late To Beat Nettuno

ITALY - One of the keys for T&A San Marino heading into Game 1 of the Italian Series was to deliver clutch hits against a porous Danesi Nettuno bullpen. Mission accomplished.

San Marino blew open a 2-1 encounter with five runs in the ninth to beat Nettuno 7-1 on Friday night in the best-of-seven championship series. The two squads will do battle again in Game 2 on Saturday.

James Buccheri’s run-scoring single off Nettuno starter Nelson Cruz with two outs in the second gave San Marino a 1-0 lead, and Dean Rovinelli padded the score with a solo homer to open the sixth. However, Cruz (0-1) pitched well allowing two runs and eight hits in seven innings of work.

Horacio Estrada got the starting nod for the underdogs and tossed five scoreless innings before running into trouble in the sixth. Nettuno finally managed to get on the board when Igor Schiavetti greeted reliever Juan Figueroa with an RBI single to left field to score Juan Camilo.

Estrada (1-0) turned in a big-time outing holding Nettuno’s potent lineup to just a run and three hits over 5 2/3 innings. Figueroa pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings allowing a pair of hits while fanning three before Brian Looney registered the final five outs with three strikeouts to notch the save.

Clinging to a narrow 2-1 lead in the final frame, San Marino capitalized on three walks by Nettuno closer Frailyn Florian with both Seth La Fera and Martin Vasquez stroking two-run singles to grab a commanding 6-1 lead. Max De Biase added a RBI double to finish off the victory.

Florian turned in another forgettable outing surrendering three hits, five runs and three walks in two innings.

Buccheri, La Fera and David Sheldon led San Marino with two hits apiece while second baseman Renato Imperiali collected two of Nettuno’s five hits.

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