Guatemala sits atop standings after opening day at Central American Games Softball competition

Guatemala sits atop standings after opening day at Central American Games Softball competition
05/12/2017

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – The Guatemala Women’s and Men’s Softball National Teams had a successful first day at the Central American Games, winning each of their games to sit on top of the leader boards.

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – The Guatemala Women’s and Men’s Softball National Teams had a successful first day at the Central American Games, winning each of their games to sit on top of the leader boards.

In the women’s competition, Guatemala won both their games on opening day of the regional multi-sport games. Panama and Nicaragua are in the middle of the pack with one win each, while El Salvador lost both matches in the day.

On the men’s side, Guatemala won two games — winning 6-5 against Panama and 9-0 against Honduras – to lead the standings. One step below, Panama, Nicaragua and Honduras each have won and lost one game.

WOMEN’S COMPETITION

In the opening game, Guatemala defeated Panama 4-1. Panama struck first, scoring one run in the bottom of the second inning. But Guatemala tied it up at their next opportunity in the top of the third. The game remained tied at 1-1 until the seventh when Guatemala scored three for a safe 4-1 win. Joselline Monge received the win, while Yulissa Mendieta the loss.

In the second game of the day, Panama squeaked out a win over El Salvador in a 1-0 close battle. Kimberly Caballero went 2-2 and scored the game’s only run off a Yulissa Mendieta single in the third inning. Olaisa Pérez received the win, while Jacqueline Castellon got the loss.

The hosts, Nicaragua, made their multi-sport competition debut in the third game against Guatemala. In a game that required one additional inning, Guatemala got on board first scoring one run in the top of the third. But Nicaragua answered as Ana Olivas batted Debon Soto in for a 1-1 game. With the game now in extra innings, Angela Alvarado scored again to give Guatemala their second win of the day. Joselline Monge earned her second win, while Anielka Norori pitched the complete game loss.

In the final match of the day for the women, the hosts sent the crowd home happy with a 4-3 nail bitter over El Salvador. Nicaragua wasted no time, scoring two runs at their first at-bat. But El Salvador answered in the bottom of the second to tie the game up. Nicaragua took the lead in the third, crossing the plate once and added an insurance run in the top of the fifth. But El Salvador did not give up, scoring one run of their own in the bottom of the fifth for a 4-3 game. However, relief pitcher Ana Olivas held Nicaragua to earn the save, as starter Cristhian Mendoza received the win.

Monday – December 4th, 2017

GAME TIME VENUE SCORE
1 8:00 am Hugo Chavez Stadium GUA 4 1 PAN
2 10:00 am Hugo Chavez Stadium ESA 0 1 PAN
3 12:00 pm Hugo Chavez Stadium GUA 2 1 NCA
4 2:00 pm ENEL Stadium NCA 4 3 ESA

Tuesday – December 5th, 2017

GAME TIME VENUE SCORE
5 8:00 am Hugo Chavez Stadium PAN ESA
6 10:00 am Hugo Chavez Stadium GUA ESA
7 12:00 pm Hugo Chavez Stadium NCA GUA
8 2:00 pm ENEL Stadium PAN NCA

 


MEN’S COMPETITION

In the best game of the day in the men’s division, Guatemala beat Panama 6-5, scoring the winning run in the top of the seventh inning. After Guatemala scored the first run of the tournament in the top of the third inning, Panama came up with a devastating offense scoring five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, including a great slam by José Ross. However, an inning later Guatemala tied the game with four runs in the fifth inning, putting the game 5-5. The tie remained until the seventh inning, when Guatemala scored the winning run. The game was won by César Sajche, while the loser was Carlos Linares.

In their second game of the day, Guatemala beat Honduras 9-0 in five innings, including seven runs in their first attack of the game. The match was won by Guillermo Ramos, while the loser was Obed Argeñal. In offense, Luis Folgar and Rodolfo Pemueller each homered.

Earlier in the day, the Honduran team had won its first victory of the tournament against Costa Rica 7-0. Javier Ortiz earned the win, pitching the complete game, while the loss went to Gian Carlos Espinoza in 4.1 innings of work.

In the fourth game of the day, Nicaragua made its debut, but could not keep up with Panama, who beat them 6-4 in an interesting duel. Panama went ahead with three runs in their first two attacks, but the hosts responded with one in the second and three in the third to take advantage. However, Panama recovered in the fourth and kept the lead. The winning pitcher was Carlos Linares in five innings of relief, while the loss went to Kent McCloud. Panama’s Gabriel Bartuano hit the game’s only home run.

Finally, Nicaragua recorded their first win of the event against El Salvador by a tight score of 3-2. The game was tied at two runs each until the sixth inning, when the hosts managed to push the final run across the plate giving them the advantage and eventual win.

Monday – December 4th, 2017

GAME TIME VENUE SCORE
1 8:00 am Roberto Clemente Stadium GUA 6 5 PAN
2 10:00 am Roberto Clemente Stadium HON 7 0 CRC
3 12:00 pm Roberto Clemente Stadium GUA 9 0 HON
4 2:00 pm Roberto Clemente Stadium PAN 6 4 NCA
5 4:00 pm Roberto Clemente Stadium NCA 3 2 ESA

Tuesday – December 5th, 2017

GAME TIME VENUE SCORE
6 8:00 am ENEL Stadium CRC ESA
7 10:00 am ENEL Stadium PAN ESA
8 12:00 pm ENEL Stadium PAN HON
9 2:00 pm ENEL Stadium CRC GUA
10 4:00 pm ENEL Stadium GUA NCA