Venezuela beat Denmark in 8-3, qualify for Super Round

Venezuela beat Denmark in 8-3, qualify for Super Round
30/11/2022
Venezuela started the game knowing they had to beat Denmark if Japan won their game against Canada but the world No. 2 lost to undefeated Canada, which sent Venezuela through to the Super Round

World No. nine Venezuela started their game against Denmark, ranked 10th in the world, with all to play for including a WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Super Round spot, knowing they had to win to finish ahead of Japan who were playing at the same time.

Kim Hansen started on the mound for Denmark, who were looking for their first win of the tournament, but struggled to settle as the South Americans managed to collect a couple of hits and score two runs in the first.

Venezuela, who won this encounter 1-0 in 2019, were super hot with Rafarel Flores’ line drive down the left field line bringing home Carlos Villegas and Rogelio Sequera. Venezuela added another in the second with Sequera's single to left field scoring Jorge Lima to lead 3-0.

With Venezuela threatening to take the game away, Hansen, who already pitched two complete games against Japan and South Africa, soon found his rhythm, allowing Denmark to work their way back into the contest in the bottom of the second. Tobias Holmelund got home on a wild pitch while Martin Simonson scored Nicholai Andersen with a single to left field.

Venezuela made a key pitcher change with Victor Guedez, who had only previously pitched four innings all tournament, on for Erick Urbaneja who was making his second appearance in the tournament in the third inning, which stemmed the flow of runs

A score by Nicholai Andersen in the fourth did tie up the game at 3-3 but by this stage Venezuela knew they were through to the Super Round after Japan had lost to Canada on Diamond 1. It seemed to relax Venezuela and tie Denmark up with Edinson Marreo and Ricardo Lukert scoring in the fifth and Carlos Villegas scoring on a wild pitch in the sixth.

With Demark seemingly putting pressure on the Venezuela offence, all the pressure was released when Oscar Andersen miss judged an Angel Adames flyball to the left field, allowing the ball to pass him but by the time he recovered, Edinson Marrero and Ricardo Lukert had scored to put the icing on the cake for Venezuela 8-3.

Victor Guedez was charged with the win for Venezuela while Hansen completed his third complete game for the tournament and collected his fourth loss.