Yilian Tornes pitches a gem as Cuba beat China to close Opening Round

Behind another complete-game gem by ace Yilian Tornes, world No. 28 Cuba defeated No. 11 China in their final game of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group B Opening Round. The Cubans topped China, 2-1, and claimed their fourth win of the tournament.

The three runs of the game were scored in the third inning. In the top half, Yanisleidys Casanova delivered again a big hit to produce the first run of the game, an RBI double to the right centre field gap. Casanova herself scored on a single by Yilian Rondon.

Casanova has hit safely in the five games of the tournament, and remains as the top hitter of the tournament with a .600 average. 

In the bottom half of the inning, Min Ren reached on a grounder to Tornes that the left handed pitcher couldn’t handle, allowing Xiaoyan He to score from second with a smart and aggressive baserunning.

Tornes pitched the complete game, striking out 13 while giving up four hits, two walks and one run. This game represents her third win and her third complete game of the tournament. 

With this win, Cuba and China are tied on top of the standings with a 4-1 record.