Bologna vs San Marino

Bologna exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the first inning, an offensive ambush that effectively decided the game before the weather intervened. Celli crushed a three-RBI double to left-centre, and Dobboletta followed with a two-RBI double, both punishing San Marino starter Sanchez early. The hosts added runs in the second and third innings to stretch the lead to 10–1.

San Marino scored their only run in the top of the second on a groundout, but Bologna's answer came immediately. The home side loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the third before the umpires called the game off as heavy rain swept across the Gianni Falchi.

When play resumed on Friday, Liberatore's at-bat with the bases loaded ended in a walk to push the lead to 11–1, but Bologna's offence added no further damage. The Fortitudo bullpen closed out the final four innings without allowing a run, preserving the 10-run cushion.

Bologna's seven-run first inning was the decisive moment of both the game and the series. After managing just six total runs across Games 1 and 2 in San Marino, Bologna's bats erupted for seven in a single frame, knocking Sanchez out of the game before he recorded four outs. The inning featured three extra-base hits and five hits in total, with Celli and Dobboletta delivering the knockout blows.

That first-inning outburst continued a trend that had been building since Game 3: after scoring five runs in Game 3 and seven in Game 4, Bologna outscored San Marino 17–2 across the three games at the Falchi to complete the reverse sweep.

Celli (Bologna) — Player of the Match: His three-RBI double in the first inning broke the game open and set the tone for the entire night. The double was the hardest-hit ball of the sequence and came with two outs, extending the inning when San Marino were one out from escaping the frame.

Dobboletta (Bologna): Drove in two runs during that same seven-run first, punishing Sanchez a second time after Celli had already cleared the bases.

Bologna bullpen: After the suspension, Bologna's relief corps held San Marino scoreless across the resumed innings, ensuring the 10-run lead was never threatened.

Liberatore (Bologna): Was at the plate with the bases loaded when play resumed and drew a walk to extend the lead. His walk-off home run in Game 3 had already been the turning point of the series.

Bermudez (Bologna): Threw a complete game with 10 strikeouts on 131 pitches in Game 4 (19 August), the performance that swung series momentum.

The final 10–1 scoreline understates the one-sided nature of this game. Bologna scored seven of their 10 runs in the first inning alone — more than they managed in either Game 1 (1 run) or Game 2 (5 runs) in San Marino. The Fortitudo's offensive turnaround across Games 3–5 was stark: after hitting .195 with 6 runs in Games 1–2, they hit .312 with 20 runs in Games 3–5 at home.

San Marino, the regular-season champions with a 24-8 record, managed just 4 runs across the final three games after scoring 12 in the first two.

Bologna advance to the Italian Baseball Series (finale scudetto) after becoming only the second team in Serie A Gold playoff history to overcome a 0–2 series deficit by winning three consecutive games. The Fortitudo finished the regular season in second place at 22-10, behind San Marino's league-best 24-8.

In the other semifinal, Parma Clima lead Macerata 3-2 after Game 5 on 20 August (11-2), setting up a Bologna-Parma final if Parma close out the series in Game 6 on 23 August.

Bologna's seven-run first inning in Game 5 was the exclamation point on a stunning reversal of fortune. After looking outclassed in San Marino, the Fortitudo found their offence, their bullpen, and their belief at the Gianni Falchi. San Marino's title defence ends not with a whimper but with a thunderstorm — and a 10-run deficit they could never overcome.