Women’s Baseball World Cup: Dominican Republic makes history, Canada and Japan undefeated

Japan and Canada remain undefeated on top of group B of the Women’s Baseball World Cup, but the National Team of the Day is Dominican Republic. Led by teen age pitchers Lorena Medrano and Angela Burgos, Dominican Republic defeated Australia to make the history books.

The Dominican Republic stunned the baseball community earning the first win ever in the Women’s World Cup, coming from behind to beat, 9-6, Australia.

The Dominican Republic took an early lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI double by Yocarla Gonzalez. Aussie starter Brittany Hepburn loaded the bases (hit by pitch) but then struck out the side to end the threat.
Australia tied it in the top of the second on a double by Taylah Welch. On the play, Welch tried to reach third and forced Abbey Mc Lellan home. Mc Lellan became a rally killing second out at the plate.

In the top of the third Australia scored five runs off Dominican 18-year old starter Lorena Medrano. Shae Lillywhite led off with a double, advanced on a bunt and scored on a balk. Australia tried to capitalize on a walk playing more short ball and pressure forced an error by Dominican Republic. With two outs, Tammy Mc Millan, Taylah Welche and Olivia Bannon connected for three singles in a row to extend Australia’s lead to 6-1.

The Dominican Republic struck right back in the bottom half of the frame. Hepburn (base hit, hit by pitch, walk) loaded the bases and left for Abbey Kelly. The reliever allowed a base hit to Lidenny Camilo, issued back to back walks to Windeily Ramirez and Johanna Bakli and was then hurt by a defensive error. At the end of the inning the score was tied at six.

In the bottom of the sixth the Dominican Republic took back the lead. With 2 outs and a runner at second, Lidenny Camilo and Windeily Ramirez got to reliever Maddison Tabrett with back to back doubles and Johanna Bakli followed with and RBI single to make the score 9-6.

Reliever Angela Burgos, born November 2001, worked a perfect 7th inning and earned the historical win for Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic celebrates the historical win

Canada beat Cuba, 10-7, in a game that was shortened to five innings by a massive thunder storm.

Cuba wasted no time in getting to Canada’s starter Amanda Asay. Yamisleidy Perez reached on a lead off walk and Deyanna Batista followed with a base hit. One run scored on a double by Maryelbis Ferro and Cuba capitalized on two defensive errors and one more base hit, by Nilsa Rodroguez, to make it 5-0.

Trailing 7-3, Canada got to Cuba starter Maraisy Perez in the bottom of the fourth. With one out and a runner at first, pinch hitter Daphnée Gélinas tripled to right field. Nicole Luchansky followed with an RBI single and Katherine Psota and Jenna Flannigan hit back to back singles to load the bases. Perez hit Kelsey Lalor to allow one more run and left. Reliever Isabel Gonzalez was welcomed by an RBI single by Ashley Stephenson but got out of the inning when Kaitlyn Ross flied out and center fielder Arianna Garcia got the third out at home plate.

After tying the game, Canada was quick in getting the lead. Veronika Boyd led off the bottom of the fifth with a single, stole second and reached third on a sacrifice bunt. Gélinas scored her with a sacrifice fly tori ght field. Canada added another run with Luchansky, who singled, stole second and scored on a base hit by Psota. Cuba gave another call to the bullpen, but reliever Mayumis Solano was not in her best day. She gave up back to back singles to Flannigan and Lalor and left. Dianelis Porro got Cuba out of the inning.

With Canada leading 10-7 and the sixth inning about to start, a weather alert sent the teams back to their dugouts. The alert turned into a massive thunder storm in a matter of minutes and, according to WBSC rules, the game was called.

Cuba couldn’t stick to an early lead against Canada

Tomoma Nakadi (2 for 3 and 4 RBIs) Yuka Ogata (2 for 3 and 3 RBIs) and Harue Yoshii (2 for 2 and 3 RBIs) led a sparkling offense as Japan outscored, 23-0, and outhit, 20-1, Hong Kong in 5 innings. Nana Ishimura worked four perfect innings to earn the win before leaving for Nanami Ono.