Vinnie Pasquantino Drops Emotional Message After WBC Exit

Italy’s fairytale run, when it ended, left quite a mark. And right at the center of it all was Vinnie Pasquantino, who turned a semifinal exit into something way bigger than a final score. 

Monday night in Miami was the stuff of dreams. Momentum swings, late drama, and a comeback that upset the apple cart. Italy jumped out early, but Venezuela stormed back with a three-run seventh to seal a 4-2 win and punch its ticket to the final, ending Italy’s historic unbeaten stretch in the tournament. Still, for a team that had already astonished heavyweights (including Team USA), this run felt not like a setback, but a breakthrough.

That’s exactly where Vinnie Pasquantino stepped in. On March 17, 2026, via social media, the Italy captain shifted the focus from defeat to growth, echoing the team’s larger mission and global impact.

“Such a special group. Millions of people watched us from Italy over the past few days. That’s always been and always will be the goal, to keep growing the game. Thank you everyone for all the support. Forza Italia!” Vinnie Pasquantino said.