Macerata vs Parma

The series, tied 1-1 after two games at Parma's Stadio Nino Cavalli, shifted to Macerata with both teams knowing the weight of Game 3. Parma handed the ball to Cuban right-hander Raymond Figueredo, freshly returned from a seven-game suspension served during the first two games. Macerata countered with a starter of their own in a contest designated as "open" pitching (no restrictions on foreign pitchers).

Parma struck early. The visitors plated multiple runs in the opening innings, capitalising on a Macerata defence that had committed seven errors over the first two games. The Clima lineup, which batted .294 with 28 home runs during the regular season, showed its full depth.

Macerata's bats answered every Parma rally. Down but never out, the home side matched Parma blow for blow through the middle innings, with Jesus Carrera and Lorenzo Morresi at the heart of the attack. But Parma had the final say, pushing across runs in the later innings to establish a lead Macerata could not overcome.

The final score: Parma 12, Macerata 9 — a combined 21 runs on what appears to have been a high-hit, high-error affair.

Parma's four-run third inning flipped the game. After Macerata struck for two in the bottom of the second to tie the score, Parma answered immediately with a crooked number, knocking Macerata's starter from the game and never trailing again. The decisive rally included hard contact up and down the order, with Game 2 hero Robel Garcia again in the middle of the action.

Robel Garcia (Parma): The switch-hitting second baseman continued his torrid postseason. After homering twice in Game 2 — including the go-ahead two-run shot that gave Parma a 4-3 win — Garcia drove in multiple runs again in Game 3, finishing as the offence's catalyst.

Ericson Leonora (Parma): The veteran outfielder, a .315 hitter in the regular season, delivered key hits in the middle innings to keep Parma's rallies alive.

Jesus Carrera (Macerata): The DH continued his outstanding postseason. After posting a .423 average with a home run through the first two games, Carrera was again productive at the plate, driving in runs and keeping Macerata within striking distance.

Lorenzo Morresi (Macerata): The shortstop, a .330 hitter during the regular season with four home runs, was involved in multiple scoring rallies.

Player of the Match: Robel Garcia (Parma)

The combined 21 runs more than doubled the total from the first two games (8-4 Macerata in Game 1, 4-3 Parma in Game 2), signalling that the "open" pitching designation strongly favoured the hitters. Game 2, by contrast, used "AFI/ITA" pitchers (Italian-born or Italian-trained), producing a low-scoring 4-3 affair.

Parma's regular-season team ERA of 2.54 ballooned in this game, but Macerata's 3.27 regular-season ERA took an even bigger hit. The bullpens on both sides were worked heavily, setting up potential fatigue issues for Game 4 the following night.

Parma now leads the semifinal series 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday 19 August at 21:00 at the same venue in Macerata. Another "open" pitching game is on tap. A Parma win would put Macerata on the brink at 3-1; a Macerata win would level the series at 2-2 heading into Game 5 on Thursday.

On the other side of the bracket, San Marino leads Bologna 2-0 in their best-of-7 semifinal.

The winner of the Parma-Macerata series advances to the Italian Baseball Series (best of 7) starting 27 August against the winner of San Marino-Bologna.

This was playoff baseball at its most untidy and entertaining — big innings, defensive mistakes, and relentless offence. Parma's depth in the order and Figueredo's return made the difference. Macerata has proven it can score with anyone, but the pitching staff struggled to get outs when needed. Game 4 is suddenly pivotal for both sides.