New Zealand recovered from a three-run deficit and defeated Venezuela this evening at Buttrio Stadium, 4-3, in Game 10 of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group C. Katrina Nukunuku produced two runs for the winners while Loran Parker recorded the win from the circle.
In the bottom of the fourth, Olympian Yuruby Alicart put Venezuela in front with a bases-clearing double to the right-center field gap. Venezuela had loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a single by Bailey Olerich.
One inning later, New Zealand tied the game with a four-hit rally, capped by a game-tying two-RBI single by Katrina Nukunuku to center field.
The game remained tied until the top of the seventh, when New Zealand grabbed a decisive one-run advantage. Mikayla Werahiko hit a leadoff double and moved to third on a sac bunt. With two outs, Nukunuku hit a with a grounder to shortstop, which took a strange hop over Alicart’s glove to give New Zealand the lead.
Parker pitched 3.1 scoreless innings in relief, giving up two hits and a walk, with two strikeouts. For Venezuela, Loreley Francia was the losing pitcher. She tossed 2.1 innings giving up one hit and one run.
