Team Italy Falls Twice to Yankees Minor Leaguers in Tampa; Claudio Scotti Replaces Ercolani on 2026 World Baseball Classic Roster

TAMPA, Fla. — Team Italy dropped both games of a two-game exhibition set against the New York Yankees’ minor league affiliates at the Yankees Player Development and Scouting Complex, falling 13-3 on Monday and 9-6 on Tuesday as part of its final tune-up before the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Gianconino Lasaracina homered twice in Tuesday’s loss, while right-hander Claudio Scotti was informed postgame he would replace Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Alessandro Ercolani on Italy’s official WBC roster.

The games marked Italy’s final evaluations in Florida before heading to Arizona and then Houston for Pool B play.

The games were coordinated with assistance from Yankees Senior Vice President Omar Minaya in collaboration with the Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS), continuing a working relationship established last year.

The exhibition set in Tampa follows Italy’s veteran-led workouts earlier this week in Port Charlotte, as the national team continues its Southwest Florida preparations ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Italy’s Elite Camp serves as preparation for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the 2027 WBSC Premier12, and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, with a roster composed primarily of SerieA1 players, professional free agents, and confirmed WBC participants.

Lasaracina Powers Italy’s Offense

In Tuesday’s 9-6 loss, Gianconino Lasaracina provided the offensive highlight with two home runs.

In the top of the first inning, Lasaracina launched a solo home run over the right-center field wall off Yankees prospect Luis Serna to give Italy a 1-0 lead.

He followed in the third inning with a two-run homer off Cade Smith, extending the lead to 4-0.

Watch Lasaracina’s home run (Instagram – FIBS Official)

Current MLB free agent Jon Berti added a solo home run in the fourth inning, pushing Italy ahead 5-1.

Lasaracina on Adjustments at the Plate

“I’ve been working a lot on tracking and timing because I was a little out of rhythm,” Lasaracina told World Baseball Network. “Today I felt much better. I did extra work in the cage and I was mainly looking for the fastball. If they threw a breaking ball, I was focused on getting the timing right.”

Italy showed visible improvement from Game 1 to Game 2.

“You could see the difference between the first and second game,” Lasaracina said. “In the first game we were all coming off winter and not in full rhythm. In the second game we improved a lot, both offensively and defensively. We just need to keep improving every day.”

Scotti Replaces Ercolani on WBC Roster

Following the game, right-handed pitcher Claudio Scotti was informed he would replace Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Alessandro Ercolani on Italy’s official 2026 World Baseball Classic roster.

Scotti roster announcement (Instagram – FIBS Official)

Scotti on Joining the WBC Team

“It’s great to be on the roster for the WBC,” Scotti told World Baseball Network. “I did not expect it, but I prepared all winter for this. Even if I got called up later, the experience is going to be the same. I’m ready.”

Scotti also praised Lasaracina’s performance.

“He’s a beast. He’s young. He’s good. He’s going to be tough to play against,” Scotti said. “I’m glad he’s on my team.”

Scotti added that communication with several WBC veterans has been limited so far during early camp — not unusual at this stage — with chemistry expected to build once the full roster assembles in Arizona.

Cervelli Emphasizes Repetition and Rhythm

Italy manager Francisco Cervelli, the 2009 World Series champion catcher, emphasized that the results are secondary to preparation.

“It’s all about these guys having reps and preparing to get to the WBC next week,” Cervelli said postgame to World Baseball Network. “They’re seeing more pitchers, getting into rhythm offensively. We’re trying to give everyone at-bats and be ready for Arizona.”

Cervelli’s first managerial event for Italy came at the 2025 European Championships, where Italy finished with a silver medal, falling 6-5 to the Netherlands in the gold medal game.

Final Florida Tune-Up Before Arizona

Italy will play its final Florida exhibition game against the Netherlands on February 27 at Terry Park in Fort Myers before traveling to Arizona for Cactus League exhibitions.

• March 3 vs. Chicago Cubs – Sloan Park (Mesa, Ariz.) – 3:05 p.m. ET
• March 4 vs. Los Angeles Angels – Tempe Diablo Stadium (Tempe, Ariz.) – 3:05 p.m. ET

2026 World Baseball Classic – Pool B

Venue: Daikin Park – Houston, Texas
Dates: March 6–11

Pool B Teams

United States, Mexico, Brazil, Great Britain, Italy

Italy Schedule

• March 7 – vs. Brazil – 1 p.m. ET
• March 8 – vs. Great Britain – 1 p.m. ET
• March 10 – vs. United States – 9 p.m. ET
• March 11 – vs. Mexico – 7 p.m. ET

Italy enters its sixth World Baseball Classic appearance and is currently ranked No. 14 in the WBSC World Rankings.

In 2023 under Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza, Italy reached the quarterfinals and fell to eventual champion Japan at the Tokyo Dome.

Italy’s International Background

• European Championship – 10 Gold, 18 Silver, 5 Bronze (34 appearances)
• Olympics – 5 appearances
• Intercontinental Cup – 1 Bronze (13 appearances)
• Premier12 / Baseball World Cup / Amateur World Series – 18 appearances