Frandelis Garcia takes Venezuela past Puerto Rico and to 2024 Finals

World No. 5 Venezuela defeated No. 9 Puerto Rico, 3-0, and earned the third and final spot in the 2024 Final Stage of the IX WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup.

Starting pitcher Frandelis Garcia led Venezuela with a stellar performance. "I thank God for this opportunity to represent my country," said Garcia after the Ticket Punch ceremony. "I had a lot of confidence in my team and my manager Carlos Torres. Of course, I also have a lot of confidence in my arm and my bat."

"Frandelis came here as our cleanup hitter and the staff's ace. She started the first game, and then I spared her for this last game," commented manager Carlos Ferrer. *As our cleanup hitter, I believe she had enough responsibility."

The night before, it was suggested that Ferrer took some risk by giving Mariana Natera seven innings against Cuba. "You have to consider that we came here with only 15 players. I didn't feel like the pitchers I had available could do better than Natera."

Ferrer acknowledged that advancing to the Finals 2024 with 15 players is quite an accomplishment. "It was an adventure, I tell you. It took almost three days to get here to Japan. Nothing was easy but we had this goal, three wins. We made it, and we advanced."

Ferrer added: "Qualifying for the 2024 World Championship stage will give us a chance to launch a National League. Women's baseball is growing in Venezuela. We have 24 states, and 12 of those play women's baseball."

Puerto Rico's ace Janiliz Rivera hit Srishna Arciniega on the game's second pitch. Catcher Mariana Valdez singled to take Arciniega to second. Venezuela then grounded into a double play. Arciniega advanced to third and scored on an RBI single by pitcher Frandelis Garcia. A fine running catch by centre fielder Nachaly Rivera took Puerto Rico out of the at-bat.

Shrishna Arciniega led off the fifth with a base hit. Catcher Mariana Valdez bunted to third and reached second on the throwing error. Arciniega advanced to third on the play. Left fielder Esquia Rengel dropped a sacrifice bunt to score Arciniega from third and send Valdez to second. Garcia came up with her second RBI single of the day to make it 3-0.

Garcia used a double play, started by Klara Resto at third base, to stop a potential Puerto Rico scoring opportunity in the bottom of the first. After that, she worked quickly through the fourth inning.

Second base Eva Torres got to Garcia with a one-out double in the bottom of the fifth. Garcia allowed a two-out walk to centre fielder Nachaly Rivera and hit leadoff hitter Luz Feliciano to load the bases. Garcia retired shortstop Adrix Paradizo on a flyout.

The Venezuelan starter allowed Puerto Rico their fourth hit in the bottom of the sixth.

Garcia hit Torres to lead off the seventh. Luz Feliciano singled with two outs, bringing the potential tying run, Adrix Paradizo, to the box. Right fielder Abril Martin ran a long distance to catch the deep fly ball Paradizo delivered on the second pitch she saw and ended the game.

Venezuela (3-2) earned the third ticket to the Finals 2024. Puerto Rico (2-3) finished Group B in fourth place.