SAN MARINO FIGHTING NETTUNO FOR EARLY ITALIAN LEAGUE LEAD

Defending champion T&A San Marino is off to a 4-0 start in the Italian League, but Danesi Nettuno is keeping pace with three impressive wins to kick off the 2009 season. Nettuno wrapped up a three-game sweep of DeAngelis Godo on Sunday, April 12 with a 13-4 win. Ramon Tavarez had three hits (including a grand slam) and drove in five runs for the winners, while Manny Alexander scored four runs. Lino Connell drove in four runs on a single and double for Godo. Nettuno starter Carlos Richetti was perfect for 2.1 innings, but the win went to reliever Massimiliano Masin, who went 4.2 innings out of the bullpen. Nettuno outscored Godo, 26-9, for the series.

Telemarket Rimini and Cariparma Parma are both a game out of first at 3-1. Rimini took three in a row from the Grosseto Orioles, including a 12-3 pasting on Sunday, April 12. Rimini scored all their runs between the fourth and eighth innings as Eddie Rios and Ivanon Coffie both homered. Rios ended the game with three runs scored and three RBIs.