EAC Gila Monsters face Italian National Softball Team on Monday

By Kris McBride

THATCHER, Ariz. – Eastern Arizona College’s Lady Monsters Softball Team will take on the Italian National Softball Team on Monday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. at the EAC softball field.

“We are excited to welcome Team Italy – the defending Euro champions – to EAC,” said Kate McCluskey, EAC head softball coach. “We have an exciting squad to watch this year and are honored to play a team that is so well respected on an international level.”

The Italian National Softball Team is currently training at the University of Arizona. The team’s 17-member lineup is playing several community college teams in Arizona and California in preparation for the World Games and the European Championship.

“Technically, we need to see players who put their best effort into it. We expect maximum commitment, even when playing against some of the strongest colleges. While we are just starting out and these teams are well-oiled machines, we could face adversity. It is not the score itself that interests us, but more the work as a whole. This trip will help us understand what we are made of and what we can do to become one of the best national teams in the world,” said Federico Pizzolini, Team Italy manager.

The Lady Monsters opened their ACCAC schedule hosting top-ranked and Division II defending national champion, Phoenix College. The game was one-sided as Phoenix College defeated the Gila Monsters 8-0 in five innings. In game two, EAC bounced back behind a strong pitching performance from Jaileen Mancha, and won 3-1. Mancha surrendered four hits, had seven strikeouts, and gave up one run. The Gila Monsters scored three runs in the third inning – enough for the win.

“We’d love to have the community come out, watch the game, and meet players from EAC and Team Italy,” said McCluskey.

For more information about the EAC Softball Team, visit http://www.eacmonsters.com/softschedulecurrent.asp.

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