Gabriele Angioi Caps Italy’s Three-Run Rally Past Colombia

Gabriele Angioi delivered a two-out, go-ahead double in the eighth inning as Italy erased a two-run deficit and beat Colombia 4-3 in the opening game of the WBSC Premier12 Barcelona Qualifier on Friday.

The Azzurri entered the eighth trailing 3-1 and managed only two hits through seven innings, but a throwing error opened the door to a three-run comeback at Camp Municipal de Béisbol Carlos Pérez de Rozas. Italy moved to 1-0 in the four-team round robin, where the top two nations qualify for the expanded 2027 Premier12.

Italy turns one mistake into three runs

Captain Alberto Mineo and Ricardo Paolini opened the eighth with consecutive singles. Noel González then dropped a bunt in front of Colombia reliever Kevin Escorcia, who fielded the ball but threw wide of first base.

Mineo and pinch-runner Williams Wong both scored on the error, tying the game at 3-3, while González advanced to third. Colombia recovered to record two outs without allowing the go-ahead run, but Angioi attacked the first pitch he saw from Ezequiel Zabaleta and drove a double that brought González home.

The hit completed a difficult afternoon for Angioi, who had struggled in his first three at-bats before producing the game’s decisive swing.

Claudio Scotti protected the one-run lead in the ninth. He walked the leadoff hitter, then induced pinch-hitter Jaider Morelos to ground into a double play before retiring Dayan Frías on a fly ball to left field for the save.

Colombia lets early lead slip

Italy had scored first in the third inning. Paolini was hit by a pitch, stole second and reached third on a passed ball before Giaconino Lasaracina singled him home.

Colombia answered with three runs in the fourth. Carlos Arroyo was hit by Matteo Bocchi, Guillermo Quintana singled and Daniel Vellojin walked to load the bases. Bocchi then hit Carlos Martínez to force in the tying run, and Darío Borrero followed with a two-run single off the right-field wall.

That lead held until Italy’s eighth-inning rally. Colombia’s pitching staff allowed only two hits through the first six innings, with Harrinson Ruiz striking out the side in the sixth, but the late defensive mistake changed the game.

Bullpen carries Italy to opening win

Bocchi struck out six across 3 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on 74 pitches. Colombia starter Luis Patiño surrendered one run over 3 1/3 innings and struck out three.

Italy’s bullpen kept the game within reach. Ettore Giulianelli worked a scoreless eighth to earn the win, and Scotti completed the comeback. Escorcia took the loss.

The victory gives Italy an early advantage in a short tournament where every run could matter. Two-way ties are decided by head-to-head results, while a three-way tie would move to Team Quality Balance, a run-differential formula adjusted for innings played.

Italy faces host Spain on Saturday before closing against Germany on Sunday. Colombia returns Saturday against Germany, needing a response after allowing a late lead to disappear in the opener.