Kairi Rodriguez hit the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Czech Republic, 4-3, and qualify Puerto Rico for the WBSC U-18 Softball World Cup Bronze Medal Game. The European champions took the lead twice in the game but couldn’t hang on in their last round robin game.
Nikola Schwarzingerova scored the first run of the game in the first frame after a Puerto Rico defensive error; but the Caribbean team tied the game when Kathyria García crossed the plate after a defensive miscue.
The Czech team regained the lead in the fourth, thanks to an RBI triple off the bat of Roza Blazkova and a run-scoring single by Stepanka Bouckova. But Puerto Rico tied the score in the home half of the same inning, on a fielder’s choice and a single by Garcia.
The game-winning run was scored by Tatianna Roman, after a line-drive singe by Rodriguez.
Puerto Rico finished the round robin with a 5-2 record, and will play in Sunday's Bronze Medal Game. Czech Republic posted a 3-4 record.
