by International Baseball Federation, www.ibaf.org
USA Vs Japan 1–6
Yui Shingu and Ayami Sato conceded only 1 run over the required 7 to set the stage for a 6 – 1 Japanese victory and in the process, book a ticket for the gold medal game. Helped by stellar defense in key situations, Japan was able to pitch and catch their way-out of key Team USA offensive situations. The game was locked at 1 through 6 until 2nd baseman and leadoff hitter Nakano scored on a single from 3rd baseman Rokkaku to give Japan the edge. Japan added 4 insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th. Tara Harbert and Jenna Marston both collected 2 hits for Team USA, Natsumi Nakano and Akiko Shimura scored twice each for Japan. Japan will face Australia for the Gold; While Team USA will battle Venezuela for the Bronze in tomorrow’s final day in Maracay, Venezuela.
Australia Vs Venezuela 12-2
Venezuela’s fairy tale run came to an end today at the hands of Australia 12-2. The final score was not a reflection of the quality of the game, or Venezuela’s run to the playoffs, considering their strong performances over the week of play. Australia pieced together 9 hits and capitalized on a number of errors and walks from the Venezuelan defense. Jacinda Barclay pitched the complete game for Australia, spreading 6 hits and 2 runs over 7 innings to keep the Venezuelan offense in check. Venezuela in their first IBAF Women’s Baseball World Cup will have a chance to compete for Bronze against team USA tomorrow, while Australia will look to extend the Australian Baseball Federations already strong summer, competing for gold as did the Australian 18 and Under team at the IBAF World Championship in Thunder Bay earlier in July.
Placement Games
In other action, Canada defeated Cuba 5-1 to claim 5th place, Chinese Taipei defeated Puerto Rico 4-3 to collect 7th, while South Korea held off the Netherlands 11-4 to pick up 9th place.
Press Conference
Prior to the Venezuela – Australia game, IBAF President Riccardo Fraccari met with the press to thank the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, the President of the Venezuelan Olympic Committee Eduardo Alvarez, the Venezuelan Minister for Sport Hector Rodriguez Castro, and Venezuelan Baseball Federation President Edwin Zerpa for hosting the visiting teams and the IBAF, and setting the stage for bringing for the first time to Venezuela and South America the tournament.
“It’s great to see over 15,000 fans at games, and over 100,000 fans for the tournament. These numbers show that Venezuela is a great baseball nation, and of course demonstrate the depth and rapid growth of Women’s baseball and our Women’s Baseball World Cup.”
Fraccari also commented on Olympic Baseball and the IBAF, noting the IBAF is working closely to return baseball to the Olympic Games.