15/09/2023 2 Minute Read

Nanako Hanabusa leads Japan to walk-off win over Venezuela, keep unbeaten run

Venezuela took a 4-2 lead in the fifth. Japan tied the game in the bottom half of the frame and won it on a two-out and two-strike walk-off hit by catcher Nanako Hanabusa in the bottom of the seventh. Legendary Ayami Sato pitched in relief to earn the win.

Japan beat Venezuela, 5-4, to earn their third consecutive win in the IX WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group B presented by CARNEXT.

It was not the night many had previewed, as Venezuela took a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth and came within one strike from extra-innings. A two-out and two-strike single by backup catcher Nanako Hanabusa in her first at-bat of the night walked it off in the bottom of the seventh.

"I always try to do the best for the team," Hanabusa said to the local press after the game. "I've been Ayami Sato's catcher since joining Team Lotte. She has always been focused on her game, and today was no different."

Sato pitched two perfect innings for the win. "My pitches are not as fast as they used to be," she commented, "But my experience allows me to be more focused and prepared."

She is still a fan favourite: "I did not notice a lot of excitement when I stepped to the mound, but if they were, this makes me happy. I do think the fans pushed us to the win."

Japan scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the second. Venezuela's starter, Abril Amaro, issued a two-out walk to Kae Iwami. The Japanese shortstop advanced on a balk and scored on third base Ayaka Deguchi's single.

Venezuela reversed the lead in the top of the third. Japan's starter, Akino Tanaka, allowed a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Catcher Mariana Valdez hit an RBI single to tie the game, bringing a runner to third. A second run scored on a groundout. Designated hitter Frandelis Garcia hit a deep double to left-centre, and shortstop Mariana Natera made it 4-1 with an RBI single.

Japan stroked back in the bottom half of the frame. First base Yuki Kawabata reached on a one-out single. Right fielder Miwa Naraoka doubled to left field to cut the gap with a double to deep left field. Amaro got out of the inning with a flyout and a strikeout.

Tanaka led off the bottom of the fifth with a single. Amaro walked centre fielder Iori Miura, and Kawabata followed with an RBI single down the right-field line, bringing Miura to third. Naraoka dropped a bunt, executing a perfect safety squeeze for the tying run.

Legendary Ayami Sato, the reigning Women's Baseball World Cup MVP, took the mound for Japan in the top of the sixth.

Pinch hitter Mu Shiraishi led off the bottom half of the frame with an infield single. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and reached third on a ground out. Tanaka hit a grounder up the middle. Natera got to the ball just behind the second base bag, and her throw barely beat Tanaka to first.

In the top of the seventh, Ayaka Deguchi's leaping catch robbed Ruclaireth Tovar of what would have been a leadoff double.

Miura led off the bottom of the seventh with an infield hit. She stole second with one out. Venezuela intentionally walked Naraoka, and Japan loaded the bases as Akari Hoshikawa singled to right field, beating Abril Marin's brave sliding attempt.

Yaya Kojima grounded into a force out at home for the second out. Backup catcher Nanako Hanabusa stepped into the box for the first time in the game. She looked at four pitches and got to the fifth offering by Amaro for a walk-off single to centre.

Japan will face No. 2 Chinese Taipei at 14:00 (local time) on Saturday, 16 September. Both teams are undefeated, and the head-to-head will likely define the first-place finisher. Venezuela (1-2) will face No. 7 Cuba at 18:00 (local time.