06/08/2018 2 Minute Read

Japan keeps dominating, Italy still in the race for fourth place in group B

Itay got all the offense they needed in the first inning, scoring the only run of the game against Great Britain on a wild pitch. Japan used a couple of homers to keep Venezuela at a distance and earned the fifth straight win

Japan used massive power to earn the fifth win, 7-2, of the Softball World Cup against Venezuela.

Venezuela wasted no time and got on the scoreboard in the top of the first. With 2 outs, Yuruby Alicart doubled to right field off Japan starter Misaki Katsumata and scored on a base hit by Milagros Lozada. It was the first run allowed by Japan in the tournament.
Japan struck right back against Venezuela’s Jamee Juarez. With Eri Yamada (single) and Saki YUamazaki on board, Yu Yamamato homered to left and gave a 3-1 lead to Japan.

Venezuela made it a one run game in the top of the third on base hits by Yuruby Alicart and Jineth Pimentel.
Japan wasn’t going to let them get too close. Saki Yamazaki led off the bottom half of the frame with a single. She then stole second and scored on triple by Mana Atsumi. With 2 outs, Yamato Fujita connected for her second home run in as many games and extended Japan’s lead to 6-2.

Michelle Floyd relieved Juarez in the bottom of the fourth.
Japan added a run in the sixth on an RBI single by Eri Yamada.

Japan celebrates the fifth straight win

Italy defeated, 1-0, Great Britain to remain in the race for fourth place in group B. The azzurre improved to a 2-3 record.

Italy scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the first. After loading the bases on back to back hits by Amanda Fama and Erika Piancastelli, Italy scored on a wild pitch by Great Britain’s starter Elizabeth Fleming.

Italy did strand a couple of runners in the first and Great Britain blew a chance in the top of the third when, with one out, Victoria Charters tried to reach third. Italy’s shortstop Fama had full control of the ball and retired Charters for the second out with a throw to Giulia Longhi.

Georgina Corrick took over for Fleming in the bottom of the third.

Great Britain reached scoring position again in the top of the fourth. With pich runner Aubrey Paterson at second and Amy Moore at first, Greta Cecchetti relieved Cacciamani and ended the threat striking out Chelsea D’Avilar.

Kirsten Mack led off the sixth with a single to left and advanced to second on an error. With pinch runner Emmilee Blowers at second, Cecchetti struck out Chiya Louie. Hayley Davilar reached on an infield single. Blowers advanced to third, but overan the base and was picked off by Fama for the second out. Cecchetti struck out pinch hitter Chloe Wiginton to end the inning.

With one out in the top of the seventh, Charters reached on a drag bunt. As Nerissa Myers grounded out to first, Charters advanced to second. On a 2-2 count, Kendyl Scott flied out on a line drive to third base and the game ended.