Women’s Baseball World Cup: Cuba scares Japan, Canada in second place, Dominican Republic score 19

In group B of the Women’s Baseball World Cup Japan can concentrate on the super round, that will start on Tuesday and Canada has done a huge step forward to second place. Sunday, 26 August, is going to provide key matchups.

Japan remained undefeated as they beat Cuba 4-1. The defending World Champions head to the super round as the number one seed in group B.

Japan didn’t have an easy night against Cuba. Starter Maraisy Perez limited Japan’s line up to a couple of hits through the first five at bats and received some significant help from a bases running mistake in the top of the fifth. Ayaka Deguchi led off with a double. She reached third on a sacrifice bunt but was the first out at home after she was caught far from third base bag and trapped.

Cuba got the first hit of the night against Ami Sakahara in the bottom of the fifth. Katherine Fals singled to right field. She then advanced all the way to third on a sacrifice bunt by Claudia Jorge, who reached first on a defensive error. Jorge stole second. Libia Duarte struck out looking, but Cuba scored then the go ahead run on a squeeze attempt that wasn’t quite finalized. Fals however managed to beat the tag by Japan’s catcher Funakoshi.

Japan struck right back. Tomomi Nakada led off the top of the sixth with a single and advanced on a failed pick off attempt. She reached third on a bunt by Miku Kitayama and scored on a double by Iori Miura. Cuba gave the call to Dianelis Porro in the bull pen, but Chihiro Funakoshi got immediately to her with a base hit that gave Japan the lead.

In the bottom of the sixth Japan gave the ball to Rina Taniyama to protect a one run lead. The reliever put the tying run at second allowing walks to Yordanka Rodriguez and Nilsa Rodriguez, but then got out of the inning when Katherine Fals flied to left field.

Japan added a couple of insurance runs in the top of the seventh thanks to Iori Miura, who connected for a 2 RBI single, thus celebrating a 3-RBI night.

Canada beat Australia, 9-6, and remains behind Japan, in sole possession of second place in group B.

Canada combined 16 hits, with rightfielder Jenna Flannigan starring with three hits and three RBIs. Four more Canadians had multi hit games.

Canada’s starter Allison Schroder, borm 2002, didn’t live her best night. She struggled with control, allowing five walks over 3.2 innings. She also didn’t receive full support from her defense (three errors) and had to leave with two outs in the fourth.
Anne Sophie Lavallée earned the win for Canada, going 2.2 innings and allowing only two hits.

In the bottom of the fourth Canada fell behind 6-3 but didn’t give up. The North Americans scored in each of their next three at bats cruised to a 9-6.

Canada beat Australia and is second behind Japan in group B

The Dominican Republic needed only 5 innings to defeat Hong Kong 19-1.
The game remained close until Dominican Republic, at that moment leading 3-1, broke the score open with seven runs in the top of the third. Dominican Republic got to starter Fung Ting with six hits, including triples by Melissa Rodriguez and Yocarla Guerrero and a double by Geraldina Feliz.
Hong Kong used two more pitchers (Lam Yee Wan and Ho Tsz Wai).
Carla Minier picked the win going the distance and allowing only three hits.