Third baseman Rogelio Sequera and shortstop Edinson Marrero had
four and three RBIs, respectively, to lead the Venezuelan four-inning 12-1
victory over South Africa on Sunday at the XVII WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup.
Venezuela improved their record to 1-1, following Saturday’s
loss to Canada in Group B at Rosedale Park.
South Africa scored the first point in the game courtesy of Phomolo Phaladi, but the celebrations did not last long for the African side as the South Americans started the bottom of the first inning with a 5-0 scoring blowout.
After hitting a triple to left centre, Carlos Villegas
scored on a passed ball to tie the game. Erwin Diaz, Engelbert Herrera and
Carlos Ojeda scored next to overtake the South Africans, following Sequera and
Ricardo Lukert’s single hits, respectively. Sequera closed the inning with
another run to put Venezuela ahead 5-1.
Venezuela continued to score runs in the second frame,
producing two more runs by Diaz and Herrera off Sequera’s single to centre
field.
In the third inning, Jorge Lima and Rafael Flores both singled
to reach the bases before completing runs off the hits of Diaz and Herrera to
extend the lead to 9-1
Sequera and pinch hitter Adames both earned walks to stay on second and first bases, respectively. Marrero had three attempts at the batter’s box, first with a strike, followed by a wild pitch that moved Sequera and Adames to third and second bases, and Marrero's game-finishing home run to deep right centre to finish the game at 12-1.
Quotes: Venezuela Head Coach Luis Russo
We have a strong team allround, but one of
the strongest things about our things about our team is our batting. We have a
new team and we hope that our batting will be a big part for us at this
tournament.
Today was tough with the weather. For us
coming from a warm country, it is not just the rain but also the cold wind that
affects us. We have come here prepared for this.
All things about the game are important. We
want to win every day. We will take it step-by-step, day-by-day.