Great Britains beats Venezuela, Feret’s gem leads New Zealand over Philippines

Great Britain beat, 5-2, Venezuela securing sixth place in group A of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship.

Great Britain scored first. Nerissa Myers led off with a base hit off Venezuela starter Michelle Floyd, advanced on an error and scored thanks to a couple of ground outs.

With two outs in the second, Great Britain starter Elizabeth Fleming walked Mirian Jimenez. Cristina Rodriguez reached on an error and Jimenez got to third. But Fleming escaped the threat as Chiya Louie could get the force out at third on a slow roller by Jamee Juarez.

Venezuela went ahead in the top of the third. With one out, Maria Soto and Yurubi Alicart hit back to back singles. Denisse Fuenmayor sent the both home as she tripled to right. Gerogina Corrick took over for Fleming and ended the inning.

In the bottom half of the frame Floyd walked Myers, gave up a single to Kendyl Scott and hit Lauren Evans. A base hit by Kirsten Mack tied the game.

Shortstop Sydney Brown gave Great Britain a new lead in the bottom of the fourth. She singled, stole second and third and scored on a ground out.
In the bottom of the fifth with one out, Mack singled and Louie walked to send Floyd to the showers. Venezuela gave the call to Alondra Perez and Great Britain got to her right away. Brown hit a pop right over home plate that found Venezuela’s infielder not ready and became a base hit. Pinch hitter Amy Moore followed with an RBI single to make it 4-2.

Great Britain added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on the third hit of the night (a double, third RBI) by Kirsten Mack.

Kendyl Scott of Great Britain displays her athletics to avoid Venezuela’s Cristina Rodriguez tag

Jeniffer Feret was one strike away from perfection in New Zealand’s 2-0 victory against Philippines fin the last game of the WBSC Softball World Championship’s Group A. The right-hander retired consecutively the first 20 batters she faced, and had Arianne Vallestero with 2 strikes and 2 outs in the top of the seventh. But the Philippine left fielder found a pitch in the lower part of the zone and hit a clean double to break the perfect game.

New Zealand took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Krysta Hoani walked with one out, and Mereana Makea bunted to put her in scoring position. With two outs in the scoreboard Kignsley Avery hit a single through the middle to score the first run of the game. This was the first hit of the game for any team.

In the bottom of the fifth Feret singled to lead off, and after two fielder’s choices, Makea and Avery hit back to back singles to plate the second run for New Zealand.

Jennifer Feret was one out away from a perfect game. She only allowed 1 hit in the complete-game shutout

With this result, New Zealand finishes sixth in Group A, and will play tomorrow at 14:00 local time, in NASPA Stadium against Venezuela in the placement round. Philippines ends seventh and will play in Zett A Bal Park, at the same time against Great Britain.