Championship Round opens with two extra inning thrillers at WBSC Jr. Women’s Softball World Championship
Post date: Aug 18, 2017 8:51:0 PM
CLEARWATER, FL, USA – The playoffs are now underway as half of the Championship Round games required nine innings to determine a winner. In the early game, Chinese Taipei edged Czech Republic, while Japan came from behind to defeat Canada in the high heat of the day as six teams are still in the hunt For the Title of Word Champion.
In the Placement Round, India won their first-ever game in a junior world championship, while Ireland is enjoying a two-game winning streak.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
Chinese Taipei v Czech Republic
7-6 (9 innings)
The first playoff game between the No. 2 seeds of Pool A and C required extra innings with the winner advancing and the loser going home. Chinese Taipei got on board first scoring two in the first inning, but Czech Republic stayed in the game, chipping away at Chinese Taipei’s lead and finally tying the game up in the bottom of the 7th.
Yi Yen lead the game off singling to left field. Following a stolen base and put-out, Yen was batted in off a RBI single by Yu-Ting Chen. Sloppy defensive throwing allowed Chen to third on a single to the outfield. A failed pick-off attempt at 2nd gave Chen time to sprint home to make the game 2-0.
In the 2nd inning, Chinese Taipei added to their lead as Yu-Ling Huang homered to right fielding for a 3 run advantage.
The 4th inning saw both teams plate two runs. Yen reached base again on a single to the outfield and scored when Yi-Fan Ho doubled. The next batter, Chen, then smacked the ball down the right field line for the 5-0 lead. But Czech Republic answered back. With one out, Michaela Regnerova hit a home run. Then Ema Vodickova walked and made her way to 3rd off a ground-out and single. She was batted in on a Kristyna Mala ground ball to the outfield to bring the game to 5-2.
The Europeans scored another run in the 5th when Regnerova singled to right field to push in Tereza Novotna, who reached on a fielder’s choice. The Czech scored again the next inning as Natalie Kopicova reached on a fielder’s choice and was driven in on an outfield hit by Eliska Stejskalova.
Another run in the 7th tied the game up at 5-5, causing Chinese Taipei some stress. Veronika Klimplova doubled to second base as the ball ricocheted off the diving Lin Kai-En’s glove. After a ground-out, Regnerova hit the ball to the outfield allowing Klimplova to score forcing extra innings.
After not scoring any runs for three innings, Chinese Taipei scored the go-ahead run when Yen singled to center field to push in Kai-En Lin. But Czech Republic tied it up again in the bottom of the inning. With Vodickova placed on 2nd and advancing to 3rd on the sacrifice bunt, Barbora Kleckova flew out to left field allowing Vodickova to bring the game to 6-6.
But in the 9th, Chinese Taipei scored one run as Chen tripled to left center to score Ho. As Czech Republic was unable to score in their at-bat, Chinese Taipei continues on the quest for the gold medal.
Win: Yu-Hsuan FENG
Loss: Ema VODICKOVA
Next Up
Chinese Taipei will play tomorrow at 12:00pm against Canada.
Czech Republic has finished the Jr. Women’s World Championship in 8th place.
China v Australia
2-0
China won the second playoff game of the game defeating Australia 2-0. As each team finished in 2nd place in their respective pools, they had to win or go home.
China received that message and got on board in a hurry scoring one run in the 1st inning. With Xiaomin Lu on base following a walk, Xinyu Zhang singled down the right field line for Lu to sprint home for a 1-0 game.
Australia threatened in the 2nd when Montana Kearnes doubled down the left field line and made it to third on a ground out. But Tia Waters then popped up into a double play to end the inning.
Both teams were then unable to get much going until China added an insurance run in the top of the 7th. Zixuan Dong led things off with a single through the left side and advanced to third due to an infield ground out and wild pitch. With runners on second and third, Yu Juan Sang batted Dong in for the 2-0 score. The Aussies tried in the bottom of the 7th but could only manage a single. China now continues their quest to medal in this world championship.
Win: Xiaofan JIN
Loss: Tarni STEPTO
Next Up
China will play tomorrow at 12:00pm against Puerto Rico.
Australia has finished the Jr. Women’s World Championship in 7th place.
Japan v Canada
The match between Japan and Canada was a nail biter requiring two extra innings to determine the winner. Japan pulled through having to come back and are now guaranteed a medal; tomorrow they find out what color.
Canada struck first scoring three runs in the 3rd inning. Emma Adams led the inning off with a single and advanced on a Jones Rebecca hit to 3rd base. The next batter, Grace Messmer, hit a one-out double to left field to plate Adams. Maria Palmegiani then singled to left field to score Jones and Messmer to give Canada the 3-0 lead.
In the 4th, Canada added to their lead as Sarah Benn reached on a fielder’s choice and made her way to 3rd from a passed ball and ground out, then was driven in from Alysse Volpe’s double to the outfield. But Japan got on the board in the bottom of the inning when Hiroyo Hattori led off with a single to right field. Shiho Suto then ripped a triple to left field to plate Hattori. Miyamoto Miyu hit to left field, but a fielding error allowed Suto to score to give Canada a 4-2 lead.
Canada added another run as Messmer doubled to center field to start the 5th inning off. A ground out and error moved Messmer home. But Japan tied the game up plating two runs at their at-bat. Eri Shimoyama hit a lead-off double and was driven in by Chisora Mihara. With only one out, Reina Matsumoto reached 3rd on a dropped fly ball and Mihara scored. Azumi Takahashi fly ball to left field then pushed Matsumoto home.
Neither team could do anything through regulation with the tension rising. It wasn’t until the 9th inning that Canada scored two runs. Adams started the inning at 2nd base and was quickly moved to 3rd as Volpe singled to center. With runners in scoring position following Volpe’s steal, Jones doubled to left field, pushing Adams and Volpe home. But Japan showed why they are the No. 1 team in the world. After Ayumi Shimomura was placed on 2nd and Shimoyama was hit by a pitch, Hanako Shigeishi batted Shimomura home. Two batters later and one out, Matsumoto singled to right field to score pinch-runner Mihara and Shimoyama and give Japan the win in thrilling fashion.
Win: Sakura MIWA
Loss: Bri AGUILAR-BEAUCAGE
Next Up
Japan will play tomorrow at 5:00pm against USA.
Canada will play tomorrow at 12:00pm against Chinese Taipei.
USA v Puerto Rico
8-3
The two Americas teams went head to head in the final Championship Round game of the day. The game was tight through six innings until USA blew the game open scoring four runs to capture the win and now be guaranteed a medal.
USA took the lead in the 2nd inning off Jessica Harper’s one-out home run over the right field fence.
In third inning, USA added to their lead scoring another run. Hannah Adams lead the inning off with an infield single and was driven in by Baylee Klingler’s double to left. Now with two outs, Alexis Allan hit USA’s second RBI double to left field to bring the score to 3-0.
Dejah Mulipola reached base in the 4th on a fielder’s choice with no outs to be plated two batters later by Adams with the third double to left.
But Puerto Rico got on the board the following inning to score two. Jaimie Hoover and Janiliz Rivera led the bottom half of the 5th with two outfield singles. Ariella Jackson then reached base on a dropped fly ball to right field scoring Hoover. With one out, Odalys Cordova doubled to left center to plate Jackson for a 4-2 ball game.
Puerto Rico continued to chip away in the 6th as Kayla Jensen pushed the ball through the infield into center to start the inning. After a pop-up and strike-out, Hoover singled to center allowing Jensen to score.
However, the Americans opened up the scoring in the bottom of the sixth plating four runs. Mulipola again led the inning off reaching base, this time with a single. Adams advanced Mulipola to third on a fielder’s choice for runners to be on the corners. Nicole Bates singled to left to score Mulipola and Adams, while defensive miscues advanced Bates to third. The next batter, Madilyn Nickles, hit to the outfield allowing Bates to cross the plate. Later, with bases loaded and two outs, a wild pitch gave Nickles enough time to sprint home to make the game 8-3.
Natalie Lugo received the win pitching 6.2 innings, giving up one run on four hits while striking out 12.
Win: Natalie LUGO
Loss: Barbara RODRIGUEZ
Next Up
USA will play tomorrow at 5:00pm against Japan.
Puerto Rico will play tomorrow at 2:30pm against China.
PLACEMENT ROUND
Italy v New Zealand
7-3
Italy had a huge first inning, scoring 6 runs, to earn the win and stay alive in the world championship. The lead was too much for New Zealand to overcome as they exited the tournament. Andrea Howard and Giorgia Migliorini each had two doubles in the game, while Elisa Princic hit one. Howard lead all batters going 3-for-4 with one RBI. Sara Riboldi earned the win coming in as relief facing eight batters.
Win: Sara RIBOLDI
Loss: Stephanie FALLON
Next Up
Italy will play tomorrow at 11:30am against Brazil.
New Zealand has finished the Jr. Women’s World Championship in 16th place.
Netherlands v Great Britain
2-0
Continental rivals Netherlands and Great Britain went head to head today in the second placement game of the day. The top European team defeated Great Britain 2-0 in a close match. Feline Poot and Tammie Lijbers drove in Yindi Beekveldt and Ismay Poot for the two runs in the game. Lisa Hop earned the win pitching the complete game giving up three hits and walking two, while striking out four.
Win: Lisa Hop
Loss: Elizabeth Fleming
Next Up
Netherlands will play tomorrow at 2:00pm against Dominican Republic.
Great Britain has finished the Jr. Women’s World Championship in 15th place.
Mexico v Brazil
10-3
Mexico hit Brazil well to win 10-3 in five innings. Rossy Lizarraga hit a triple as she went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and scoring once. Madelyn Ruffin (3), Diana Arcega (2), and Suzannah Brookshire (1) also batted runners in. Alyssa Loza earned the win pitching four innings allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out five.
Win: Alyssa LOZA
Loss: Valeria COMOSAKO
Next Up
Mexico will play tomorrow at 4:30pm against Philippines.
Brazil will play tomorrow at 11:30am against Italy.
Philippines V Dominican Republic
5-3
The Philippines exploded for four runs in the 2nd inning and one more run in the 4th before Dominican Republic tried to stage a comeback plating three in the 5th. But the deficit was too much and Philippines pulled through winning 5-3. Mary Maguad had a good day at the plate going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Elsie Dela was also credited with batting in two. Royevel Palma pitched the complete game for the win allowing four hits, while striking out two and walking one.
Win: Royevel PALMA
Loss: Katherine SUGILIO
Next Up
Philippines will play tomorrow at 4:30pm against Mexico.
Dominican Republic will play tomorrow at 2:30pm against Netherlands.
Korea v Bahamas
14-2 (5 innings)
Korea crushed Bahamas to stay alive in the world championship. The Asian national team scored eight runs in the 1st inning, followed by three runs in the four and three more in the 5th. The entire Korean roster was credited with at least one hit, as Seo Young Jeong Sy (3), Hyun Ju Im (3), Ah Young Kim Ay (2), Do Hui Lee (2), Ju I Jin (2), and Sol Lee Park Sl (2) had multiple hits in the game. Si Yeon Hong earned the win pitching all five innings, allowing five hits and two runs, while striking out five.
Win: Si Y HONG
Loss: Ramona HANNA
Next Up
Korea will play today at 5:00pm against Guatemala
Bahamas has finished the Junior Women’s World Championship in 24th place.
India v South Africa
5-4
India won their first-ever world championship game defeating South Africa in a well matched game. India struck first scoring one run in the 3rd inning and three runs in the 4th before South Africa got on the board scoring two for a 4-2 game. India added what turned out to be an insurance run in the top of the 6th, as South Africa tried to stage a comeback scoring two. But India held on and won their first game in junior world championship history. Durva Mudris and Aliva Pradhan led India to victory with two RBIs each. Pooja Parkhe earned the win pitching the entire game giving up five hits, while striking out nine.
Win: Pooja PARKHE
Loss: Nushka DE BEER
Next Up
India plays today at 7:30pm against Peru.
South Africa has finished the Jr. Women’s World Championship in 23rd place.
Argentina v Turkey
18-0 (3 innings)
Argentina easily defeated the inexperienced Turkey 18-0 in three innings. The South Americans scored 9 runs in the 1st and 9 runs in the 2nd to stay alive in the world championship. Maria Acuna hit a home run, while Liliana Gomez doubled in the lopsided game. Violeta Figueroa pitched the perfect game, facing the minimum number of batters and struck out four.
Win: Violeta FIGUEROA
Loss: Gulseren GOKALP
Next Up
Argentina will play tomorrow at 9:30am against Korea.
Turkey has finished the world championship in 25th place.
Korea v Guatemala
9-1 (6 innings)
Korea scored six runs in the 2nd inning and 3 runs in the 6th inning to overpower Guatemala in the Placement Round match-up. Kyung Min Lee led all batters going 3-for-4 with two doubles and one triple while batting in four and scoring twice. Hye Won Jeong and Ah Young Kim recorded multiple hits in the game. Hyeon Hong earned the win pitching the entire game allowing one run on four hits and striking out six.
Win: Hyeon HONG
Loss: Maria RIVERA
Next Up
Korea will play tomorrow at 9:30am against Argentina
Guatemala has finished the world championship in 21st place.
Ireland v Israel
16-1 (3 innings)
After winning their first-ever world championship game yesterday, Ireland continued the winning streak defeating Israel 16-1 in a lopsided game. The Irish scored four runs in the 1st, followed by eight runs in the 2nd and closed the game out with four more runs in the 3rd. Israel plated their sole run of the game in the 2nd. Teresa Griswold and Cassandra McGrath pushed three runs in each, while Claire Blount and Ciara Sullivan batted in two. Cassandra McGrath earned the win allowing one run on one hit while striking out one batter.
Win: Cassandra MCGRATH
Loss: Anna RUDENSKY
Next Up
Ireland will play tomorrow at 9:00am against Peru.
Israel has finished the world championship in 26th place.
Peru v India
12-1 (4 innings)
After winning their first-ever game at a junior world championship earlier today, India ran out of steam and lost 12-1 to Peru in four innings. India got on the board first scoring one run in the 1st. But Peru found their bats quickly as they scored four runs in the 2nd and eight runs in the 4th to stay alive in the championship. Emma Medina and Vianca Dagnino each doubled while Pamela Hirakata was the sole batter who recorded multiple hits. Daniela Rubio received the win in two innings of work allowing one run on one hit and walking only one.
Win: Daniela RUBIO
Loss: Pooja PARKHE
Next Up
Peru will play tomorrow at 9:00am against Ireland.
India has finished the world championship in 22nd place.