Mexico surprises Venezuela and qualifies along with Puerto Rico for the World Cup

(Press Release; WBSC-AMERICAS).- On the fourth day of the Opening Round of the Women's World Cup qualifier in La Guaira, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Mexico were the first to qualify to the semifinal and the World Cup.

Puerto Rico maintained its unbeaten record by beating their classic rival, the Dominican Republic, by a score of 6-1, thus earning their ticket to the World Cup and maintaining its unbeaten record in the tournament.

Janiliz Rivera worked hard to get the victory giving up seven hits and just one earned run with one walk and eight strikeouts. Offensively, Lisandra Berríos went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, while Eva Torres, Jenny Ortiz and Nayri Sánchez scored one run each.

In the night game, Mexico surprised Venezuela with a seven-run attack in the seventh inning to turn the game around against the locals and earn the 8-4 win, gaining their place in the World Cup.

For Mexico, Diana Ibarra stood out hitting 2-3 with a run scored and three RBIs, Narda Andrade hit 1-1 with two runs scored and María Valenzuela won by pitching three innings while allowing six hits and two runs (one earned).

In the first game of the day, Cuba won in six innings by knockout against Nicaragua 12-2, taking advantage of a five-run rally in the first inning and seven errors committed by their rival.

For Cuba Yanet Cruz pitched a complete game to earn the victory, allowing eight hits, two earned runs, two walks and five strikeouts.

Katherine Fals went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, Roxana Cuello went 1-for-3 with runs scored and three RBIs, and Yordanka Rodríguez went 1-for-1 with a run scored and three RBIs.

The victory allows Cuba to continue in the fight for the World Cup together with Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, which will play for the last two places this Wednesday in the last day of the Opening Round.

(Media Management; WBSC-AMERICAS)