Softball Mexico's ace Dallas Escobedo: “Game one is going to set the tone for the rest of the week”
Mexico pitching star Dallas Escobedo can't wait for the Olympic Games to start, especially with softball having the privilege of being the first sport to start at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on Wednesday, 21 July.
While Australia will play hosts Japan at 09:00 to start proceedings in Fukushima, world No 5 Mexico will take on Canada in the third game of the day at 15:00 and the 29-year-old right-handed pitcher says a good performance against the number three side in the world will be key to her country's medal chances.
“Winning game one is going to set us up really well. I think we had a really good run with Canada, beating them in the qualifier, to get us the berth here," said Escobedo who pitched the whole game against Canada at the WBSC Softball Americas Qualifier, giving up only one hit and claiming nine strike outs in the 2-1 win. "And then we’ve played them early on in the season and we’ve gone back and forth. They are very strong, they had a lot of good preparation... So it’s just going out there and battle, but I think game one is going to set the tone for the rest of the week.”
Mexico finished in top spot - ahead of Canada - at the WBSC Softball Americas Qualifier in September 2019 and according to Escobedo, Mexico's debut at the Olympic Games has been "a long time coming".
“I think it’s going to be nerves, excitement, anxiousness, but I think we’re prepared,” she said confidently. And even when she recognises that it’s going to be a little different without fans, she thinks the atmosphere will be exciting anyway. “Overall, I think the environment will still be enjoyable and just getting out there and competing,” she added.
After two days in Fukushima, softball moves to Yokohama Stadium, a venue which Escobedo has experience with having been one of the stars of the Japanese Softball League for the last seasons. “I’ve played at the stadium before and I love it. It’s beautiful, and I think they’ve done a very good job with keeping everything on brand, and just the feel looks beautiful. So I’m just excited to get here.”
After entering the Olympic Village on Friday, the Mexican Olympic Softball Team spent the weekend with a pair of training sessions at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. For Escobedo, it was more about getting the feel of the stadium, the field, the Olympic atmosphere and also the weather, that could be factor in the tournament. “I just wanted to get more acclimated with the heat, I know it’s going to be a big part of the game, especially when we have day games compared with the late games in the evenings. But I love the heat, I’m from Arizona and I live in the desert so...” she said laughing.
