13/09/2023 3 Minute Read

Women's Baseball World Cup Group B - Day 1: Japan, Venezuela and Chinese Taipei debut with wins

The First Lady of Japan, Yuko Kishida, threw the ceremonial first pitch in Miyoshi before Japan-Puerto Rico. The defending World Champions struggled for three innings against Janiliz Rivera, then scored all their runs in the fourth. Venezuela came from behind to outscore France in six innings by the run-difference rule. Cuba scored in their first at-bat, but Chinese Taipei reversed the lead in the bottom of the first and took control.

The IX Women's Baseball World Cup Group B, presented by CARNEXT, opened in Miyoshi City, Japan on Wednesday.

There were no surprises on Day 1, but all the favourites fell behind before reversing the leads to win their respective games. It happened to Chinese Taipei against Cuba in the first game. Venezuela also fell behind against France.

In the night game, Japan scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead over Puerto Rico after going hitless for three innings against Janiliz Rivera.

"It was really an intense game," said Japan's manager Risa Nakashima. "I will discuss details with the players tomorrow before our pre game practice, but I'm happy we took off with such an intense game."

The First Lady of Japan, Yuko Kishida, officiated the ceremonial first pitch before Puerto Rico-Japan.

Day 1 Results

Chinese Taipei-Cuba	9-1	BOX SCORE	GAME REPORT
Venezuela- France	11-1 (6 innings)	BOX SCORE	GAME REPORT
Japan- Puerto Rico	4-2	BOX SCORE	GAME REPORT

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Japan-Puerto Rico 4-2

Janiliz Rivera kept Japan hitless for three innings and Puerto Rico took advantage of a pair of walks to take the lead in the top of the third. Rising star Kana Onodera took control of the situation and threw a complete game. Japan came back with a four-run fourth to earn their first win.

Yuko Kishida, the First Lady of Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, officiated the ceremonial first pitch. Yuko Kishida, born Wada, is a native of Miyoshi. She wore a Samurai Japan uniform bearing the number 815, the date of her birthday and the end of the Second World War.

"I feel relieved," she told the WBSC minutes after the ceremony. We will publish more comments by the first lady later.

Japan's started Kana Onodera, the rising star of the Japanese Club Championship. She led the Yomiuri Giants to the 2023 title pitching 16 scoreless innings in the finals.

Puerto Rico handed the ball to their ace Janiliz Rivera, who got them out of the second with a great catch.

Puerto Rico got to Onodera in the top of the third, making the most of back-to-back walks. Star shortstop Adriz Paradizo singled to put Puerto Rico ahead, and a second run scored on a wild pitch.

After going hitless for three innings, Japan came up with four in the bottom of the fourth. The defending Women's Baseball World Champions got the first hit of their night from Yuki Kawabata.

Miwa Naraoka and Ayaka Deguchi added a pair of singles. Akari Hoshika bunted for the hit. Tamaki Muramatsu capped the rally with a two-RBI single.

Kae Iwami squeezed the go-ahead run.

Onodera didn't allow other runs and sealed the victory with 12 strike outs.

Venezuela-France 11-1

France scored their historic first run in a Women's Baseball World Cup and manufactured their first double play before getting the first hit. Their smooth defence wasn't enough to stop Venezuela.

France took the lead scoring their first-ever Women's Baseball World Cup run without getting a hit.

In the bottom of the fist France manufactured their first Women's Baseball World Cup double play.

Venezuela scored the tying run on two hits in the bottom of the second. Abril Marin hit an RBI single.

French starter Camille Foucher walked herself into trouble in the bottom of the third. Venezuela made the most of it and scored three runs on Ruclaireth Tovar's single, a groundout, and a sacrifice fly to centre field by Garcia. Shortstop Amina Taleb got the second out of the inning at home.

Venezuela got out of the top of the fourth thanks to a double play.

Venezuela broke the score open in the bottom of the fifth. Guillemin loaded the bases on walks, then allowed a three-RBI triple to Mariana Valdez. Another run scored as Laureanne Vasquez singled, extending the lead to 8-1. Base hits by Laureanne Vasquez and Ruclaireth Tovar made it 10-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, Venezuela added the run they needed to end the game under the run-difference rule.

Chinese Taipei-Cuba 9-1

Starting pitcher Chiao Yun Huang posted five solid innings, allowing one unearned run and went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the cleanup spot to lead Chinese Taipei to a comfortable win.

Cuba and Chinese Taipei opened the Women's Baseball World Cup Group B in Miyoshi City, Japan.

Cuba scored the first run of the tournament as Yusnavi Bonne got to starter Chiao Yun Huang with a double to centre field.

Shortstop Yu Ying Hsieh led off the bottom half of the frame with a tiple against Dianelis Porro. Catcher Shih Yun Lee followed with an RBI single to tie the game. A second run scored as Chiao Yun Huang doubled to left field.

Chinese Taipei made it 3-1 in the bottom of the third. Hisao Mein Chen tripled and scored on a two-out RBI single by Yi Jin Hua. Cuba got out of the inning thanks to good defence.

In the bottom of the fourth, Chinese Taipei opened the score. Cuba made two calls to the bullpen for Isabel Gonzalez and Yoannet Dominguez, but didn't stop Chinese Taipei from adding four runs on three hits. They would add two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Chiao Yun Huang pitched five solid innings for the win.