Consistent offence propels Puerto Rico to five-inning win against South Africa
Youngster Macey Cintron took the ball for Puerto Rico and tossed a five-inning complete game, giving up four hits and one run, while striking out four. She earned the win.
World No. 4 Puerto Rico bounced back from yesterday’s shutout against China and mounted a 10-hit offensive to clinch their first win of the tournament, a five-inning, 8-1 victory against No. 38 South Africa.
Puerto Rico’s captain Karla Claudio gave her team a 1-0 lead in the first, with a sacrifice fly to centre field to plate Aleshia Ocasio, who was on base after hitting a leadoff single. The Caribbean team, the highest ranked team in Group B, added two in the second inning, on an RBI triple by Camille Ortiz and a two-out RBI single by Ocasio.
In the fifth inning, Puerto Rico’s offence mounted a five-run rally including an RBI triple by Janelle Martinez, and RBI singles by Jade McKenzie, Aminah Vega, Claudio (her second of the game) and Carsyn Gordon.
With the score 8-0, South Africa tried to come back in the top of the fifth and extend the game. Pinch runner Emily Mahlalela crossed the plate on a double by Nushka De Beer, leaving two runners in scoring position. However, Elri Herman grounded to third to finish the game.
Youngster Macey Cintron took the ball for Puerto Rico and tossed a five-inning complete game, giving up four hits and one run, while striking out four. She earned the win.
For South Africa, the loss was charged to Mosima Gwangwa after three innings of work. She gave up eight hits and six runs.
