Women’s Baseball World Cup: Japan, Canada win. Cuba-Australia ends on Tursday

Japan and Canada got started with wins in group A of the Women’s Baseball World Cup. Canada’s game against Hong Kong was cut short by a thunder storm, that forced the suspension of Australia-Cuba. The game will resume on Thursday.

The five-time defending World Champions Japan got started with a win, 8-0, against Dominican Republic. Despite being and absolute beginner in the WBSC Women’s World Cup, Dominican Republic managed to keep it close for the first four innings. Catcher Noelia Moreno recorded in the top of the second the first ever hit of her National Team on the World Cup stage.

Japan managed to manufacture a couple of runs against Dominican Republic starter Marlenny Quero in the second and the third. Then broke the score open in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Japan took advantage of a couple of bases-loaded walks by Quero and reliever Esmeralda Alcantara. Then a base hit by Ayaka Deguchi and a triple by Iori Miura put Japan out of reach.

Rina Taniyama earned the win going six innings and allowing only three hits, while striking out nine. Reigning World Cup MVP Ayami Sato pitched the seventh and struck out the side.

The game was delayed as in the fourth inning home plate umpire Perry Barber (USA) had to leave. Second base umpire Jeon Mun Sook (KOR) took over.
“I was overheated” Perry Barber said after the game “and I felt sick after drinking chilled water. I feel much better now.”

Japan’s coaching staff. Manager Megumi Kitta is on the left

A weather alert cut the game between Canada and Hong Kong short. With Canada leading 4-0 in the middle of the fifth, the game was stopped because of lightning. As a thunder storm approached Space Coast Complex, the game was called and 4-0 became the final score.

Anne Sophie Lavallée pitched five innings of no hit ball for Canada, allowing four walks and striking out four.
Canada scored against starter Wan Yee Lam in each of the first three at bats. Nicole Luchanski and Katherine Psota both had two hits.

A thunder storm hit Space Coast Stadium

The game between Cuba and Australia was suspended with Australia leading 5-4 and with runners at first and second in the middle of the fourth. The game was resumed on Thursday, 23 August, at 9 am.
Australia scored six, on a base hit by Chelsea Forkin and a couple of defensive errors, before the bottom of the fourth ended  and went on to win it 12-4.
Laura Neads earned the win.
This will push Venezuela-Korea to 11 am and Cuba-Canada to 2.30 pm. All times are US Eastern.