Japan beat Venezuela in five innings to stay undefeated
World No. 1 Japan took an early lead and never looked back, outhitting No. 3 Venezuela 13-3 on their way to an 11-0 win in five innings on Tuesday in the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals 2024 in Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Canada.
Venezuela starter Abril Amaro walked Iori Miura to lead off the bottom of the first. Haruna Tadano bunted Miura to second on the first pitch she saw. Miwa Naraoka then put Japan ahead with a two-out RBI single.
In the top of the second, Japan committed an error allowing leadoff hitter Yakary Molina to reach base. Venezuela starter Migrelly Angulo singled to right field, advancing Molina to second. Japan starter Akino Tanaka responded by striking out the next two batters and ending the inning with a flyout to centre field, keeping Venezuela from scoring.
In the bottom of the second, Miu Shiraishi reached on a one-out double and advanced to third on a groundout. Amaro then walked Nanako Hanabusa. On the second pitch she saw, Miura doubled to left field, extending Japan's lead to 3-0 and advancing to third on the play at the plate.
Japan added a fourth run in the bottom of the third. Yuki Kawabata attempted to score from first on Naraoka's double but was thrown out at the plate. However, Japan capitalised on a defensive error, with Miu Shiraishi driving in another run with an RBI single.
Maria Marcano relieved Amaro and walked the bases loaded. Hanabusa and Miura then hit back-to-back singles, making it a 6-0 game. The seventh run scored on consecutive walks.
Venezuela handed the ball to Ruclaireth Tovar, who needed just two pitches to get out of the inning on a pop-up to second base.
Japan struck again in the bottom of the fourth. Miu Shiraishi hit a two-RBI single, followed by pinch-hitter Ayaka Osado with an RBI single. The eleventh run scored when Tadano grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Yuna Tsuchiya took the mound for Japan in the top of the sixth. She allowed Stephany Suarez to record Venezuela's third hit, but a fine play by star shortstop Kae Iwami kept Venezuela scoreless, closing the game on the run-difference rule.
Japan (3-0) will open Day 4 facing No. 5 Mexico. Venezuela (1-2) will play at 19:00 local time against No. 7 Canada.