Emily Freitas’ walk-off thrills home crowd in narrow win over Colombia
Emily Freitas' grounder drove in the walk-off run for Brazil’s 6-5 win over Colombia, securing fifth place in the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Group A.
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<p>Brazil claimed fifth place in the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-ii-u-18-womens-softball-world-cup-group-a/home">WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup</a> Group A after a thrilling <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-ii-u-18-womens-softball-world-cup-group-a/schedule-and-results/box-score/146414">6-5</a> walk-off victory against Colombia. The hosts came from behind in the bottom of the seventh, scoring two runs to clinch the victory.</p>
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<p>Colombia took the lead twice in the game, initially with a
4-0 advantage in the top of the third and again with a 5-4 lead in the top of
the fifth. However, they ultimately gave up another tough loss in the bottom of
the seventh.</p>
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<p>Amanda Handa went 3-for-4 for Brazil with two RBIs and one
run scored, while Maria Julia Pedroso hit 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Both
players pitched the complete game for Brazil, with Handa working five innings
and Pedroso the last two. Pedroso was credited with the win.</p>
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<p>For Colombia, Brook Zuluaga led the team's nine-hit
offensive effort, going 3-for-4. Payton Dedo pitched 1+ inning, giving up two
runs on three hits, and was charged with the loss. Colombia finished sixth with
a 0-6 record.</p>
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<p>Francela Verdura and Jazmin Mejia reached base on a single
and a walk in the second inning. A two-out dropped foul ball allowed them to
score the first two runs of the game. Brooke Zuluaga drove in Sophia Loreto to
make it 3-0.</p>
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<p>Audrey Lum and Francela Verdura singled in the third inning, leaving runners on the corners with one out. A sac fly from Angelly Benitez plated the fourth Colombian run, extending their lead to 4-0.</p>
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<p>Brazil reacted with a pair of runs in the bottom of the
third. After two quick outs, Brazil put together a string of three hits, with
singles by Amanda Handa and Ana Luiza Saito, followed by a two-run double from
Maria Julia Pedroso. The game was now 4-2.</p>
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<p>The Mie Nishi Stadium went crazy as Brazil tied the game
with a clutch two-out, two-run single by pitcher Amanda Handa to centre field
in the bottom of the fourth. The game was now 4-4.</p>
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<p>Back-to-back doubles by Audrey Lum and Sofia Villa gave
Colombia a 5-4 lead in the top of the fifth.</p>
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<p>Down by one run in the bottom of the seventh, Nichole
Schultz and Helen Rodrigues tied the game for the host team with two
consecutive triples to open the inning. Colombia loaded the bases with two
intentional walks, but Emily Freitas grounded to second base to drive in the
game-winning run.</p>
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