Brookshire drives in 4, powers Mexico past Venezuela. Brazil tops Dominican Republic

Suzannah Brookshire collected 4 RBI with a triple and a home run to lift Mexico over Venezuela, 7-0, in five innings. Danielle O’Toole claimed her first win of the tournament, with 8 strikeouts in five innings, allowing only 2 hits.

In the bottom of the first inning, Mexico scored the first run of the game. Nicole Mendes opened the game with a stand-up triple to the left field corner and scored later with a sacrifice fly by Amanda Sanchez.

In the top of the third inning, Estefany Duno singled to center field to open the offensive of her team. Kimberly Caicedo sacrificed to move the runner but Danielle O’Toole struck out Eila Infante and Maria Soto to avoid any damage.

Mexico scored three times in the bottom of the fourth, with an RBI triple by Suzannah Brookshire, and RBI singles by Mendes and Anissa Urtez.

One inning later, with two runners on base, Desiree Ybarra left a changeup high in the zone and Brookshire belted a walk-off, three-run home run to left field to end the game.

MEXICO 🇲🇽 WINS !!!
3-RUN HOMER ☄️ ☄️ ☄️
TO WALK-OFF 🚶‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/9PLolcSxZ4

— WBSC #RoadToTokyo (@WBSCsoftball) August 29, 2019

Brazil still unbeaten

Brazil defeated Dominican Republic, 4-3, remains unbeaten on top of Group B and secured the qualification to the Super Round, starting on Friday. For the second consecutive night, Mariana Ribeiro produced the game-winning run, late in the match.

The game had four lead changes. Brazil scored in the first inning with an RBI single by Rebeca Laudino. In the bottom of the fourth Dominican Republic took the lead with one swing, on a 2-run homer by Rosaury Perez.

One inning later Brazil scored twice to make it 3-2, thanks to a defensive error and a sacrifice fly by Gabriela Dos Santos. Clari Saldaña tied the game for the Dominicans in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single, but in the top of the seventh Ribeiro plated Akamine with a grounder.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Dominican Republic loaded the bases with no outs. However, Eduarda Rocha swung to the first pitch she saw and hit a soft roller to Fernanda Shiroma, who assisted to home plate to start a key 1-2-3 double play. Then the right-handed pitcher fanned Anabel Ulloa with five pitches to close the game.

Shiroma went the distance and allowed 3 runs with 6 hits, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.

With today’s wins, Mexico and Brazil share the lead in Group B. Both teams will face each other tomorrow to see who advanced to the Super Round with a perfect record.