Puerto Rico, USA still perfect; Chinese Taipei now fourth in group A

With today’s victories, Puerto Rico and USA remain undefeated, while Chinese Taipei stands alone at fourth place in Group A.

Puerto Rico 4-1 New Zealand

Puerto Rico is still undefeated and leading Group A of the WBSC Softball World Championship, after a 4-1 win over New Zealand in the first game of the day at Zett A. Ball Park.

In the bottom of the second Puerto Rico got on the board; starter Rita Hokianga made a mistake leaving a pitch up in the zone, and Shemiah Sanchez made her pay with a solo homer to left field, to make it 1-0.

In the bottom of the fourth Puerto Rico added two more runs, taking advantage of an error by second base Elizabeth Cooper. Yahelis Muñoz singled, Carsyn Gordon walked and both advanced on a sac bunt. With two outs Galis Lozada hit a grounder between first and second, Hokianga fielded the ball but missed the throw, allowing the two Puerto Rican runners to score.

The only run for New Zealand came in the top of the fifth, with a solo home run off the bat of Pallas Potter to cut the difference to 3-1.

But in the bottom of the sixth the Caribbean team retook the three-run lead with an RBI sigle by Aleshia Ocasio, to score Sanchez.

Meghan King won the game in 5 innings of work, allowing 3 hits and 1 run, with 5 Ks and 2 walks. The loss was charged to Hokaiga, who went six innings for the White Sox.

Puerto Rico improved to 6-0 in Group A, and secured double life in the playoffs. On Wednesda, 8 August, they will play United States at 6 pm (local time) and the winner will clinch first placein the group. New Zealand’s record is now 1-4, and later today (18:00 local time) will play its sixth game of the event, against Mexico.

Francesca Torraca steals for Puerto Rico against New Zealand

Chinese Taipei 9-7 Philippines

Chinese Taipei defeated the Philippines, 9-7, after a hard fought game and is now in sole possession of fourth place in group A of the Softball World Championship.

Lin Ying Hsin, the starter for Chinese Taipei, couldn’t come through the first inning. She left with a runner on second and two outs, but the Phillippines produced against reliever Chiu An Ju with a double by Chelsea Suitos. A defensive error extended the lead to 3-0.
Chinese Taipei wasted no time in getting to Mary Ann Antolihao in the bottom half of the frame. The first three hitters all had a base hit and in no time Chinese Taipei was leading 5-3.

Antolihao didn’t survive the second inning. She left for Sierra Lange after allowing back to back doubles to Lai Meng Ting and Yen Yi and with Chinese Taipei leading 6-4. In two complete innings the game had already produced 10 runs, 10 hits, 4 defensive errors and a couple of rain showers.

In the bottom of the third, Chen Chia Yi got also to Lange as she homered in the gap to right center and made it 7-4.
The Philippines weren’t ready to give up and made it again a one run game on a couple of homers: a solo shot by Hailey Decker, with two outs in the top of the fifth, and a two run homer by Francesca Altomonte in the top of the sixth.

Chinese Taipei added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a base hit by Su Yi Hsuan. Lin Feng Chen, who had doubled, became the second out at home plate.
In the bottom of the seventh the Philippines put on base the potential tying runs (Angelie Ursabia singled, Hailey Decker walked) and Chinese Taipei gave the call to reliever Lin Su Hua, who retired Skylynne Ellazar and Chelsea Suitos in order and saved the win for Chiu An Ju.

Chinese Taipei celebrates with fans after winning against the Philippines

USA 7-0 South Africa

United States defeated South Africa, 7-0, in five innings, and secured one of the two top spots in Group A. Tomorrow they will play Puerto Rico with the first place at stake.

Guided by its pitching staff and a strong offensive, USA took the game against South Africa in five innings. Rachel Garcia, Keilani Ricketts and Kelly Barnhill combined to pitch a no-hitter, with a total of 14 strikeouts; while the lineup put together a nine hit performance to clinch the sixth victory of the World Championship.

Kristi Merritt and Sahvanna Jaquish homered for USA and combined to produce 6 runs for their team (3 each one).

Tomorrow USA and Puerto Rico will close the round robin at 18:00 local time, and the winner of the game will take the first place at Group A. South Africa will try to earn its first win of the tournament against Netherlands.

Kristi Merritt celebrates her home run against South Africa