Vidales’ homer lifts Mexico over Peru

Mexico opened the Group B of the WBSC Softball Americas Qualifier with an 8-0, five-inning victory over Peru at Softball City in Surrey, Canada. Victoria Vidales produced 3 runs for the winner, including a no-doubter in the second inning to lead her offense.

Peru put two runners on in the first inning with a pair of singles. After two quick strikeouts on 7 pitches by Dallas Escobedo, Annie Yokoyama connected the first hit of the tournament with a single to right field. Elizabeth Caffero followed with another single up the middle, but then Escobedo struck out Fernanda Ocrospoma to end the inning.

Mexico took the lead in the home half of the first episode with a 5-run inning. Amanda Sanchez hit a single to right field and advanced on a wild pitch. From there she scored with an RBI single by Victoria Vidales, who later was plated by Sashel Palacios with a single. Then Mexico loaded the bases and added two more runs on a throwing error by shortstop Stephanie Oshiro. Finally, an infield single by Tatyana Forbes plated Suzannah Brookshire.

One inning later Vidales belted a monster home run to left field off starter Meiber Cabrera adding one more run for Mexico. The first baseman took a low pitch and blasted it into the left-field bleachers.

Victoria Vidales 💣 💣 🇲🇽 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/w7MjqlIDj1

— WBSC #RoadToTokyo (@WBSCsoftball) August 25, 2019

In the top of the third again Peru put two runners on, with two singles by Osaki and Caffero (who ended 2 for 2), but Fernanda Ocrospoma swung and missed to end the inning.

Mexico scored the last two runs of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Marissa Bravo hit a double down to right field line and Nicole Mendes plated her with a line drive triple to right field. Mendez scored later on a grounder to shortstop.

Mexico used four different pitchers in five innings. Escobedo, Danielle O’Toole, Taylor McQuillin and Sierra Hyland totalled 13 strikeouts, allowing only 4 hits and 1 walk. Hyland earned the win in two innings of work.

Tomorrow, Mexico will take on the Dominican Republic at 6 p.m., while Peru will face Brazil at 3:30 p.m.