SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Mexico continued with their hot streak today and defeated Canada by 5-0 in the first semifinal of the tournament. Once again Dallas Escobedo guided her team with 9 Ks, allowing only 3 hits.
With both teams qualified for the Worlds and the Pan Am Games, they jumped to the diamond with only one goal: to get a spot in the final of the tournament.
Mexico scored first in the second inning, with a two run homer by Koral Costa. Previously, Erika Polidori stole a homer to Anissa Urtez, but couldn’t do anything with Costa’s blast.
One inning later Mexico scored again. Brigette Del Ponte hit a line drive to the center field fence, for an RBI double, and a few batters later scored with a single by Urtez.
The last run of the game was scored after three consecutive hits, by Forbes, Del Ponte and Vidales, the last one a double to produce the fifth run of the game.
This way, Mexico is finalist of the IX Pan American Championship, while Canada will face USA in the bronze medal game.
USA defeated Puerto Rico by 4-0 and clinched their spot in the next WBSC World Championship and Pan American Games. US hurler Danielle O’Toole had a dominant outing, allowing only 1 hit.
In the bottom of the second USA took advantage of an error to open the score. Ali Aguilar hit softly to short stop but Quiana Diaz couldn’t make the play. The runner advanced to second with a sacrifice, and then scored with two outs. Puerto Rican pitcher Taran Alvelo tried to strike out Janie Takeda with a change up, but the batter hit a line drive to left field to plate the first run for her team.
In the third USA scored the 2-0 run. Haylie McCleney singled, and two outs later scored from first with an RBI double to center field by Amanda Chidester. After that, Megan King came in relief for Alvelo.
In the fifth the North American team scored again. Takeda and McCleney hit back to back singles to put runners on the corners, and Kelsey Stewart hit a sacrifice fly to center field to produce the third run of the game.
For the sixth inning, Aleshia Ocasio replaced King in the circle, and Aguilar welcomed her with a monster shot to center field, for the final run of the game.
O’Toole was nasty, pitching 5.1 innings without allowing a hit, before Elizia D’Orazio reached first with an infield hit. The left hander pitcher worked 6.2 innings, with 1 hit, 2 walks and 4 Ks. Kelly Barnhill retired the last out of the game with a strikeout. The loss was charged to Alvelo.
Venezuela defeated Cuba by 4-0 with a shutout by Desiree Ibarra, who pitched seven innings with 5 hits and 7 Ks.
Venezuela opened the score with a two-run single by Ana Corcorrosa, to score Yaicey Sojo and Ingrid Escobar.
In the sixth Venezuela doubled their difference with only one swing. Sojo singled and one out later Yuruby Alicart hit a two run shot to left field for the final 4-0.
In the last game of the day, USA beat Venezuela by 8-2 and clinched a spot in the podium.
Michelle Moultrie hit an RBI single in the first to open the score, and Jannie Takeda did the same in the second, to put the score 2-0.
However, in the third Venezuela tied the game. Aly Carda walked Sojo and Escobar, and Alicart singled to produce the first Venezuelan run. Later, Alicart scored the tying run on a passed ball.
But in the bottom of the sixth, USA sent nine hitters to the plate to score six runs. An RBI single by Delaney Spaulding led the way for the big inning.
With these scores, Puerto Rico will play tomorrow against Cuba at 11:00 for the fifth place, looking for the last ticket to the World Championship and Lima 2019. After that, Canada will face USA in the bronze medal game and finally Mexico will be waiting in the final game.
