2016 Women’s Softball World Championship Day 1 Game Summary

The 2016 Women’s Softball World Championship got underway in Surrey, Canada today. Eleven nations made their women’s world championship debuts.

The biennial event has brought together a record 31 national teams from all five regions, representing the largest global footprint in the event’s history.

Peru (0-1) vs. Italy (1-0):
0-5
Box Score

The European champions, Italy, defeated Peru, who are playing in their first world championship, by a score of 5-0.

In the first inning, Italy’s Erika Piancastelli hit a two-run homer to jump to a quick 2-0 lead.

In the third inning, Priscilla Brandi scored on a single by Andrea Montanari.

In the fifth, Eva Trevisan scored on a fielder’s choice hit by Valeria Bortolomai.

Winning Pitcher: Mara Papucci
Losing Pitcher: Elizabeth B. Geiger

Next Up
Peru: Saturday at 12:30pm vs. New Zealand
Italy: Saturday at 5:00pm vs. Kenya

Puerto Rico (1-0) vs. India (0-1):
25-0 (3 innings)
Box Score

Puerto Rico was too powerful for India at their first world championship game. The Caribbean national team was able to score 25 runs off 20 hits.

Yahelis Munoz went yard with a two-run homer in the first inning, while Galis Lozada lead all batters with 3 RBIs.

Winning Pitcher: Karla Claudio
Losing Pitcher: Harpreet Kaur

Next Up
Puerto Rico: Saturday at 8:00pm vs. Chinese Taipei
India: Saturday at 12:30pm vs. Ecuador

Brazil (1-0) vs. Austria (0-1):
11-0 (5 innings)
Box Score

Two of the eleven countries making their world championship debut — Brazil and Austria – went head-to-head, guaranteeing at least one win for a new-comer today. Brazil came out on top of Austria with an 11-0 victory in five innings.

Brazil took the early lead when Mariana Pereira doubled to score Barbara Woll in the top of the second inning.

In the third inning, more of the same happened when Gabriela Dos Santos scored on a fielder’s choice hit by Woll. Woll had a good start to the championship with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs in the game.

The game was blown open in the fifth inning, causing the game to end early. Brazil scores a total of nine runs on nine combined hits.  Veronika Fukunishi, Vivian Morimoto, Woll, Regina Someya, Martha Murazawa, Pereira, Samira Tanaka, Mayra Akamine, and Dos Santos all crossed home in the inning.

A highlight for Austria was the bat of Cornelia Chowojka, who pieced together two out of the team’s three hits.

Winning Pitcher: Camila M. Silva
Losing Pitcher: Cornelia Chwojka

Next Up
Brazil: Saturday at 8:00pm vs. Israel
Austria: Saturday at 12:30pm vs. United States

Venezuela (1-0) vs. France (0-1):
7-0 (6 innings)
Box Score

France is back at their second world championship after last participating in 1994 – a qualifier for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. But Venezuela was too strong and put up seven runs off 10 hits in the shortened game.

In the top of the first inning, Jocelin Diaz scored off a Yuruby Alicart triple. The next batter, Ana Coscorrosa hits a sacrifice fly to score Alicart bringing the game to a fast 2-0.

In the third, Alicart again drives in Diaz but this time on a single. Coscorrosa then hits a double to score Alicart. Denisse Fuenmayor follows with a single allowing Coscorrosa to cross the plate bringing the game to 5-0.

In the sixth, Venezuela’s Milagros Lozada hits a double to score Yaicey Sojo. Diaz flies out to centerfield but Fernanda Pacheco scores to put the game out of reach.

Winning Pitcher: Desiree Ybarra
Losing Pitcher: Sarah Benchali

Next Up
Venezuela: Saturday at 5:00pm vs. Japan
France: Sunday at 5:30pm vs. Japan

Philippines (1-0) vs. Czech Republic (0-1):
1-0
Box Score

A veteran to the international scene already, nineteen-year-old Veronika Peckova faced the Philippines in the first round robin game for both. But the Philippines was ready, finishing on top with a 1-0 victory.

The game was scoreless through four innings even though both teams had opportunities to score.

However, in the top of the fourth, Garnet Blando led off with a double. Three batters later, Angelie Ursabia hit a fly ball to right field to drive her in for the game’s only run.

Mary Antolihao pitched a solid game to earn the victory, giving up only two hits and one walk.

Peckova had a solid performance as well, despite the loss, throwing seven strikeouts.

Winning Pitcher: Mary Antolihao
Losing Pitcher: Veronika Peckova

Next Up
Philippines: Saturday at 10:00am vs. Pakistan
Czech Republic: Saturday at 10:00am vs. Netherlands

Serbia (0-1) vs. Switzerland (1-0):
10-13
Box Score

In a battle between two Europe teams, Switzerland defeated Serbia 13-10. Switzerland had the early lead but had to came from behind to earn their first world championship win.

In the first inning and two outs, Switzerland scored two runs for the early lead. Nina Wolfensberger scored on an error by Serbia and Jessica Rolli was driven in by a Corina Grass single.

In the top of the second, Serbia worked through their jitters scoring seven runs off only one hit. Sara Markovic, who lead the inning off with a single, and Jelena Cvetkovic both scored on wild pitches. With the bases loaded, Jovana Jovanovic was pushed home following a walk. Another wild pitch allowed Nevena Aleksic to score. An error by Switzerland provided the opportunity for Katarina Karic and Ivana Kuzmanovic to score. Another passed ball sent Selena Tanasijevic home making it 7-2.

In the top of the third, Serbia scored one run following Tanasijevic’s walk. But Switzerland answered with two runs of their own. Adeline Glauser singled to plate Corina Casparis, and two batters later, Glauser scored on an error, bringing the score to 8-4.

In the fourth, Switzerland pecked away at Serbia’s lead scoring one run. Simona Cellar singled bringing home Casparis.

In the fifth, Serbia added two runs on one hit. Aleksic lead off the inning with a walk. She was then driven in by Kuzmanovic. Tanasijevic followed, hitting the ball right back to the pitcher, but Karic was able to score to bring the game to 10-5.

However, in the bottom of the inning, Switzerland put together a string of seven hits to score seven runs and to take the lead in the game and the eventual win. Fabienne Baumgartner, Kelsey Mack, Wolfensberger, Casparis, Glauser, Rolli, and Corina Grass all rounded the four bags to bring the score to 10-12.

In the bottom of the sixth, Switzerland added an insurance run by Wolfensberger to finish the game early with a 13-10 victory.

Winning Pitcher: Kelsey Mack
Losing Pitcher: Katarina Karic

Next Up
Serbia: Saturday at 12:30pm vs. Mexico
Switzerland: Saturday at 5:30pm vs. Australia

Uganda (1-0) vs. Ireland (0-1):
12-8
Box Score

Uganda earned a huge win for the African continent as both Uganda and Ireland made their world championship debut.

In the first inning, Uganda waste no time getting on the board. Faith Agwang scored the first run of the game off a single by Janet Mbabazi. The next batter, Leona Mirembe, drove in Gloria Ocokoru. But Mbabazi was caught stealing to end the half inning.

In the bottom of the inning, Ireland’s lead-off batter Lauren Packer drew a walk and another walk allowed her to advance to second. Two balls later, she bravely stole home to bring the game to 2-1.

In the second, Uganda padded their lead adding six runs. Agwang singled to score Amelia Crossley. Rosemary Iopaowitt singled to centerfield to score Rukia Ajabo and Lynette Nalubega. A fielder’s choice allowed Agwang to score again. A defensive error brought Iopaowitt home. Another single by Crossley scored Esther Nakabugo to bring the score to 8-1 as Ireland was unable to keep pace.

In the third, both teams scored one run each by Nalubega (UGA) and Janette Caroll (IRL).

Ireland made the game close, scoring four runs in the fourth for an 8-7 game. Packer hit a double to score Ciara O’Gorman and Laura Hoey. Caroll then hit a triple to score player/coach Melanie Lavery. Caroll scored the final run off a wild pitch.

In the sixth, Ireland tied the game up scoring one run when Packer stole home for the second time in the game.

But Uganda got to work in the seventh, scoring three runs. Ajabo and Iopaowitt stole home, while Nalubega took advantage of a pitching error allowing Uganda to secure their first world championship win.

Winning Pitcher: Rosemary Iopaowitt
Losing Pitcher: Shawna Walsh

Next Up
Uganda: Saturday at 5:30pm vs. Great Britain
Ireland: Saturday at 7:30pm vs. Canada

Greece (0-1) vs. Cuba (1-0):
1-8 (6 innings)
Box Score

Cuba struck early scoring three runs in the first inning and didn’t look back in their 8-1 victory over Greece. Cuba’s clean-up hitter, Maritza Soca, hit a single to score Diamela Salas and Leanneyi Rios. With two outs, an error by Greece allowed Soca to come home bringing the score to 3-0.

In the third, Katia Salazar hit a one-out single to score Leanneyi G. Rios.

In the fourth, Cuba added two more runs by Elizabet Cando and Martha Palenzuela, bringing the score to 6-0.

Greece scored their sole run of the game to avoid the shut-out in the fifth inning. Nicolette Gialketsis hit a one-out single and three batters later, Ioanna Donta drove her in.

Cuba solidified their win with two final runs in the bottom of the sixth inning when Palenzuela and Leanneyi G. Rios each scored to end the game with a final score of 8-1.

Winning Pitcher: Anisley L. Gutierrez
Losing Pitcher: Loren K. Stavrou

Next Up
Greece: Saturday at 10:00am vs. China
Cuba: Saturday at 7:30pm vs. Guatemala

United States (1-0) vs. Israel (0-1):
15-0 (3 innings)
Box Score

World’s No.2, United States, got to business following back to back invitational events losses to World No. 1 Japan in the lead-up to the world championship. Israel, in their first world championship game ever, was their first test. USA won contest with a lopsided 15-0 score in three innings.

In the first, USA combined five hits to score nine runs. Amanda Chidester hit a three-run triple and Kasey Cooper followed with a two-run homerun. Two walks allowed Haylie McCleney and Kelsey Stewart to score.

In the second inning, Israel allowed the USA four hits to plate four runs. Back-to-back-to-back doubles by Valerie Arioto, Delaney Spaulding, Michelle Moultrie preceeded Amanda Chidester’s homerun, bringing the score to a quick 9-0.

Kelsey Stewart and Allyson Carda scored one run each in the third to end the 15-0 game.

Winning Pitcher: Jessica Moore
Losing Pitcher: Allison Aronovic

Next Up
United States: Saturday at 12:30pm vs. Austria
Israel: Saturday at 8:00pm vs. Brazil

Guatemala (0-1) vs. China (1-0):
0-7 (6 innings)
Box Score

Guatemala is returning to the world stage after a 34-year hiatus, while China has been present for the past nine straight championships. But experience was on China’s side as they defeated Guatemala 7-0 in six innings.

The game’s first run came in the second inning when Dongmei Wei was driven in by a Lisha Liang single.

The fourth inning, China turned up the heat scoring four runs. With one out, Yang Cao hits a two-run single to score Lisha Liang and Jia Xu. Three batters later, Jing Jing Yan hits a two-out triple allowing Yang Cao and Yining Liu to score bringing the score to 5-0.

With two outs in the fifth, Yao Lu was plated off a Jia Xu for the inning’s sole run.

China put the game out of reach and caused the premature ending in the sixth inning. Yining Liu got on base from a defensive error and after a series of wild pitches and errors, scored for the game’s final run.

Winning Pitcher: Xin Xing Zhao
Losing Pitcher: Josselline Solorzano

Next Up
Guatemala: Saturday at 7:30pm vs. Cuba
China: Saturday at 10:00am vs. Greece

Great Britain (0-1) vs. Canada (1-0):
0-3
Box Score

Host Canada opened the WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship with a hard-fought 3-0 win over Great Britain. Jenn Salling hit a homerun and drove in two runs, while the Canadian pitching tandem of Sara Groenewegen and Lauren Bay Regula held the British bats in check.

After both teams went down in order in the first inning, Canada was able to get on the board first in the bottom of the second when Salling led off by smashing a deep fly ball to center that hit the centerfielder’s glove and landed on the other side of the fence for a solo homerun.

The following inning, Carey-Leigh Thomas led off with a soft line drive to center for a single followed by a bunt single by Larissa Franklin, with the runners being sacrificed over to second and third. A bunt single by Joey Lye loaded the bases, but a strikeout and a fly out left all three runners stranded for Canada.

Great Britain broke up Groenewegen’s no-hitter with two-out single in the top of the fourth but Groenewegen struck out the next batter.

The next inning, Great Britain had its best chance to score as Regula came in to pitch and allowed back-to-back two-out singles to put runners on the corners, but Georgina Corrick was caught stealing on a throw to second by Canadian catcher Kaleigh Rafter.

In the bottom of the frame, Franklin hit a one-out infield single to shortstop and stole second before Victoria Hayward hit a soft liner into left field to score Franklin. Lye and Jen Yee both singled to load the bases before Salling lifted a fly ball to left for a sacrifice fly and gave Canada a 3-0 lead. Regula took over from there, retiring Great Britain in order in each of the sixth and seventh innings to end the game.

Winning Pitcher: Sara Groenewegen
Losing Pitcher: Georgina Corrick

Next Up
Great Britain: Saturday at 5:30pm vs. Uganda
Canada: Saturday at 7:30pm vs. Ireland

Mexico (1-0) vs. Australia (0-1):
2-0 (8 innings)
Box Score

Mexico and Australia saved the best game for last as both teams went scoreless through the regulation seven innings. It took the top of the eighth for the first runs of the game to be scored allowing Mexico the 2-0 victory. Both of the starting pitchers, Dallas Escobedo and Kaia Parnaby pitched complete games for a combined 27 strikeouts!

It looked like Australia would score first after Brenda De Blaes lead off with a double in the bottom of the first. But a fly out to rightfield, followed by two strikeouts left the game 0-0.

In the top of the fourth, Mexico’s Adriana Perez advanced to third looking to book the game’s first run. But Parnaby struck out Nallely Lopez to end the inning.

In the sixth, Mexico loaded up the bases with two outs, but Parnaby again saved the day striking out Lopez once again. Australia tried getting something going as Chelsea Forkin hit a two-out double. But Escobedo struck Jade Wall out for the game to remain scoreless.

Tiffany Rojas started the top of the eighth inning for Mexico on second due to the international tie breaker rule. Following yet another strikeout by Parnaby, Victoria Vidales hit a two-run homer for the game’s only runs.

Winning Pitcher: Dallas Escobedo
Losing Pitcher: Kaia Parnaby

Next Up
Mexico: Saturday at 12:30pm vs. Serbia
Australia: Saturday at 5:30pm vs. Switzerland

Chinese Taipei (1-0) vs. Ecuador (0-1):
11-0 (5 innings)
Box Score

Ecuador’s entrance to the world championship stage was halted by an 11-0 loss to Chinese Taipei after five innings.

Following a quiet first inning, Chinese Taipei scored the only run they need to win in the top of the second. Chi Tseng, who got on base due to a walk, was driven home by a two-out double by Yu-Han Liu.

In the third inning, the world’s No. 5 team, added two more runs by Yi-Ting Yang and Pei-Chun Lin.

The fourth inning saw Chinese Taipei score five runs off four hits to bring the score to 8-0. With the game out of reach, Chinese Taipei added their final three runs in the fifth inning for a final score of 11-0.

Winning Pitcher: Ying-Hsin Lin
Losing Pitcher: Susy Solis

Next Up
Chinese Taipei: Saturday at 8:00pm vs. Puerto Rico
Ecuador: Saturday at 12:30pm vs. India

New Zealand (1-0) vs. Kenya (0-1):
28-0 (3 innings)
Box Score

New Zealand did not give Kenya a welcomed debut to the world championship, blasting 28 runs in three innings.

The White Sox bats were hot as the entire line-up contributed to the victory with at least one RBI each.

Winning Pitcher: Courtney Gettins
Losing Pitcher: Janet Okumu

Next Up
New Zealand: Saturday at 12:30pm vs. Peru
Kenya: Saturday at 5:00pm vs. Italy