Italy claimed today its first win of the WBSC U-19 Women’s Softball World Cup, 10-0, over South Africa in four innings of play.
Alexia Lacatena pitched four scoreless innings, with 5 strikeouts. Leadoff hitter Susanna Soldi led the Italian offensive. She went 3 for 3, with 2 doubles, 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored.
With the game 1-0, Italy exploded with five runs in the second inning to secure the win. The scored in the four offensive opportunities.
Italy will sleep tonight in the second place of Group B, with a 1-0 record. Tomorrow will face Japan and Australia, with a spot in the Super Round at stake.
Puerto Rico closed the 12-game second day in the World Cup with a 5-3 victory over China, in front of a big crowd that followed the team. Ariella Jackson guided the team with a perfect 3 for 3, with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.
China scored early in the game. After two quick outs, Yuhan Shui reached on a dropped strikeout, advanced to third on a single by Yuanyuan Gui and scored on a throwing error by catcher Angelina Sanchez.
In the bottom of the second Puerto Rico tied the game, on another defensive error. With runners on first and second, Angelina Sanchez hit a grounder to shortstop, Xiaomin Lu fielded and started the possible double play, but Murong Lyu assisted wrong to first base allowing Ariella Jackson to score from second base.
One inning later Puerto Rico took a 2-run lead. Aminah Vega and Lillyana Travieso singled up the middle to put runners in first and second, and Jackson plated them with a double to left field to make it 3-1.
In the top of the fourth China made it a one-run ball game, with an RBI triple to the right field off the bat of Yingying Ma. However, in the home half of the inning, the Caribbean team loaded the bases on two singles and a hit by pitch and recovered the 2-run advantage with a bases-loaded walk by Esperanza Coe.
Both teams scored again in the fifth inning. China did it on another RBI triple, this time off the bat of Yuhan Shi. However, Puerto Rico answered with an RBI single by Angelina Sanchez.
With this score, Puerto Rico secured a spot in the Super Round of the World Cup, and tomorrow will close the Group C against Ireland.
Brazil defeated Ireland, 7-1, and tomorrow will play against China for a spot in the Super Round. The South American team had a strong outing from Thais Suzawa, who worked 6.2 strong innings, allowing only 1 run and 1 hit.
