LAKE CHARLES – Former McNeese softball standout Erika Piancastelli is getting closer to making an appearance at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo as her Italy National squad is currently 2-0 at the WBSC Softball Europe/Africa Qualifier that is being played in Utrecht, Netherlands.
 
The Italian team defeated Botswana 7-0 in Tuesday's opening game, then on Wednesday, Piancastelli went 2-for-3 with a run scored to help her team defeat the Czech Republic by a 2-0 score.
 
The five-day event will continue on Thursday with Italy (2-0) taking on France (1-1) as a win will advance the team to Friday's Super Round that will include the top two teams from the two groups.
 
Italy is the only unbeaten team Group B that includes the Czech Republic, France and Botswana. Group A is compiled of the Netherlands, Great Britain, South Africa and Spain. Both the Netherlands and Great Britain are currently 2-0.
 
Italy, the European Champion, must win the tournament to advance to the Olympic Games for the third time in history.
 
At the European Championship earlier this month, Piancastelli, who owns the distinction of being the national team's Captain, was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after she batted .559 with 10 home runs, 21 RBI, 20 runs scored, posted a 1.529 slugging percentage and a .615 on-base mark.
 
The former Cowgirl All-American and four-time SLC Player and Hitter of the Year led the Italian squad to an 11-1 mark at the European tourney and a 6-1 record against opponents who also reached the Olympic qualifier with the sole loss coming to the Netherlands, a team the Italian squad later remedied in the tournament championship game.
 
A live-stream of Italy's game vs. France on Thursday can be found at HERE