Japan ends Group B with win over Cuba in front of impressive crowd

World No. 1 Japan took a quick lead and added to it to win against No. 9 Cuba, 10-0, in six innings, their fifth victory from as many games, on the final day of the IX Women's Baseball World Cup-Group B, presented by CARNEXT. The hosts outhit Cuba 11-1. The game was played in front of a crowd of 2,700, the best attendance of the tournament.

Japan took a quick lead. Cuba's starter Yoannet Dominguez hit the leadoff hitter and Iori Mirua and Yuiki Kawabata followed with back-to-back singles. A base hit by Yukina Izumi and an error helped Japan score three runs.

The six-time champions made it 4-0 in the top of the second after Haruna Tadano hit a leadoff triple to centre field and scored on Yaya Kojima's single.

Japan loaded the bases in the top of the third. Yaya Kojima hit a sacrifice fly to left field to extend the lead to 5-0. Yuki Kawabata cleared the bases with a triple to the gap in right-centre and extended the lead to 8-0. Cuba handed the ball to Marian Verdecia to get out of the at-bat.

Madonna Japan added the runs they needed to close the game by the run-difference rule on a triple by Kae Iwami in the fourth and a single by Akari Hoshikawa in the sixth.

Akino Tanaka went three innings and limited Cuba to one hit and one walk. Arisa Hotta and Mika Tai took care of the fourth while reigning Women's Baseball World Cup MVP Ayami Sato pitched two perfect innings to close the game.