Spain scored four runs in the fifth inning to break a 1-1 deadlock and rode the arm of ace hurler Noelia FLORES (4-0, 2.13) to defeat France 5-1 to win the 2007 European Womens Softball Championship held in Zagreb, Croatia.
The Spanish national softball team went undefeated in the tournament with a potent lineup featuring leadoff hitter Jessica IBORRA (19-for-30) who hit a tournament-high .633. Other top hitters for the tourney champs includes Ana MENENDEZ (.565, 18 RBI’s), Sara MUNOZ (14-for-26), and Teresa SAN JUAN who was 16-for-30 (.533) with 10 RBI’s while scoring 14 runs.
But the French national softball team, who narrowly lost to Spain 6-5 earlier in the tournament, made another strong showing in the championship game due mostly to their fine pitching duo of Laurence CORNAILLE (4-2, 1.70) and Celine LASSAIGNE (3-1, 1.84).
Spain drew first blood in the bottom of the third when Cristina AGUSTI led off with a bunt single. Macarena MARTINEZ laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move AGUSTI to second base before Patricia ALVAREZ delivered a two-out RBI single for an early 1-0 lead.
The French knotted the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth with four straight singles – including Isabelle LEBOEUF clutch RBI single. But superb defense from Spain forced out two runners at home plate. France left the bases loaded and never recovered mentally from a huge wasted opportunity.
Spain used bunt singles by MARTINEZ and IBORRA, an error, and a big three-run double by Ana MENENDEZ to take control of the game in the fifth inning with a 4-1 lead. A clutch RBI single by Sara MUNOZ later in the inning capped the scoring as Spain closed in on the tournament title.
France never threatened again as FLORES finished the game strong as Spain claimed the championship hardware.