FORT MYERS, Fla. — Team Italy closed its Florida preparation with a 5–4 victory over the Netherlands at Terry Park on Friday, a seven-inning international tune-up that carried more substance than a typical late-February exhibition.
After dropping two games earlier in the week to a New York Yankees minor league affiliate, the Azzurri responded against a Dutch squad featuring a strong core preparing for both the World Baseball Classic and this summer’s Honkbal Haarlem Week. The result offered a needed boost before Italy heads west — and eventually to Pool B in Houston.
Italy built separation in the middle innings and withstood a late push, finishing camp in Florida on a positive note.
Early Traffic, Mid-Game Control
Right-hander Claudio Scotti drew the start for Italy against Dutch starter Derek West. The Netherlands struck first, but Italy’s offense answered as the game settled in.
Momentum shifted in the fourth inning when Andres Annunziata completed his run during a rally that turned the scoreline. A triple to left field by Guevara stretched the margin to 3–1, energizing the Italian dugout. Italy added again in the fifth to extend the lead to 4–1 before the Netherlands began to chip away.
For a roster heavy with Serie A1 talent and confirmed WBC contributors, the execution represented tangible progress after a difficult stretch earlier in the week.
A Defensive Moment That Summed Up Camp
One sequence illustrated the nature of international exhibitions in late February.
A fly ball drifted into the right-center gap, drawing an aggressive charge from the Netherlands center fielder while Italy’s temporary corner alignment converged. With Morresi and Zazza — Italian players — filling corner outfield roles for the Dutch side during the exhibition, the near collision reflected the collaborative but competitive reality of preseason national team baseball.
Both programs are still finalizing personnel. The intensity was real, even if the alignments were flexible.
The Netherlands center fielder closes on a fly ball in the right-center gap as Italy’s borrowed corner outfield alignment converges during Friday’s 5–4 exhibition at Terry Park in Fort Myers, Fla. (Perfect Game live stream screenshot)
Netherlands Rally, Italy Holds
The Netherlands trimmed the deficit late, forcing clean execution in the final inning of the seven-frame contest. Veteran right-hander Shairon Martis appeared earlier for the Dutch, and the lineup showed flashes of the cohesion expected once its full roster reconvenes in Miami for Pool D.
Italy did not waver, securing the one-run win to close the Florida phase of camp.
The Core Is Here — The Headliners Arrive in Houston
Italy’s 2026 World Baseball Classic roster is finalized. The group in Fort Myers represents the European base of the team — primarily Serie A1 players and confirmed WBC contributors — while the Major League contingent remains in big-league spring training.
Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino and slugger Jac Caglianone are in KC camp. Miles Mastrobuoni is with the Seattle Mariners. Aaron Nola is in Philadelphia Phillies camp. Additional MLB pitchers and position players will report once released for tournament play.
The full-strength version of Team Italy will take the field in Houston.
Friday’s 5–4 win was not about patchwork construction. It was about the readiness of the core before the Major League group arrives.
“Nei turni in battuta mi sono sentito bene,” Annunziata told World Baseball Network. “Ho trovato il contatto… mi sento bene.”
Miguel Fabrizio echoed the importance of continuity from last year’s European Championship core.
“Stiamo formando un gruppo… l’importante è che ci conosciamo e continuiamo a pensare al futuro,” Fabrizio said.
Next Stop: Arizona, Then Houston
Italy now travels west for its final World Baseball Classic warm-up games in the Cactus League before opening Pool B play in Houston.
Italy Warm-Up Schedule (Cactus League)
- March 3 — Italy vs. Chicago Cubs — Sloan Park (Mesa, Ariz.) — 3:05 p.m. ET
- March 4 — Italy vs. Los Angeles Angels — Tempe Diablo Stadium (Tempe, Ariz.) — 3:10 p.m. ET
2026 World Baseball Classic: Pool B
Venue: Daikin Park (Houston, Texas)
Dates: March 6–11
Italy Pool B Schedule
- March 7 — Brazil vs. Italy — 1 p.m. ET
- March 8 — Great Britain vs. Italy — 1 p.m. ET
- March 10 — Italy vs. United States — 9 p.m. ET
- March 11 — Italy vs. Mexico — 7 p.m. ET
Italy enters its sixth World Baseball Classic appearance under manager Francisco Cervelli and is currently ranked No. 14 in the WBSC World Rankings.
Netherlands Pool D Schedule
The Netherlands, ranked No. 9 in the WBSC World Rankings, will compete in Pool D of the 2026 World Baseball Classic from March 6–11 at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla. Pool play will determine who advances to the knockout stage, with the top two teams moving on to the quarterfinals. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- March 6 — Netherlands vs. Venezuela — 12:00 p.m. ET :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- March 7 — Nicaragua vs. Netherlands — 12:00 p.m. ET :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- March 8 — Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic — 12:00 p.m. ET :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- March 10 — Israel vs. Netherlands — 7:00 p.m. ET :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Pool D features a challenging mix of teams: the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Israel and Nicaragua alongside the Netherlands. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
The Netherlands, ranked No. 9, will head to Miami for Pool D play at loanDepot park against Venezuela, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Israel.
Friday’s 5–4 result in Fort Myers does not change any official standings, but it does send Italy west with momentum after a difficult midweek stretch — and toward a March schedule that will be decided by execution, not preparation.
