Venezuela win extra-inning thriller against Cuba. Japan shut out Chinese Taipei, advance to 2024 finals

Japan became the first team awarded a ticket to the 2024 World Championship stage as they beat Chinese Taipei. Puerto Rico outscored France, and Venezuela won an extra-inning thriller against Cuba. They will play a one-game playoff on Sunday for a spot in the final stage. Today's results also qualified Chinese Taipei for the 2024 tournament. They will be awarded their ticket on Sunday, after the game against France.

After the fourth day of the IX WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup-Group B, presented by CARNEXT, came the first verdicts.

Japan defeated Chinese Taipei, earning the right to advance to the 2024 World Championship phase in Thunder Bay, Canada.

Japan and Chinese Taipei played in front of over 2,400 fans.

"I am really pleased and proud that we were able to showcase such a high-level women's baseball game to such a large number of fans," commented Madonna Japan manager Risa Nakashima.

Puerto Rico defeated France in the opening game, and Venezuela won an extra-inning thriller against Cuba in the night game.

These results qualify Chinese Taipei for the 2024 World Championship stage. Even losing against France in their final game, Chinese Taipei would prevail in every possible 3-2 tie. They will be awarded their ticket for the 2024 finals after Sunday, 17 September, game against France, scheduled at 10:00 local time.

Puerto Rico and Venezuela will play a one-game playoff for the third ticket at 14:30 (local time) on Sunday.

Day 4 Results

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Venezuela-Cuba 8-7

Venezuela had to fight hard to overcome Cuba and earn a chance to advance to the World Championship stage. Cuba came back to tie the game three times. Venezuela won it in the bottom of the eighth on a bunt by Srishna Arciniega.

Venezuela took the lead in the bottom of the first. Esquia Rengel got to Cuban starter Yanet Cruz with an RBI triple and scored the second run on a single by Frandelis Garcia.

Venezuela added to the lead in the bottom of the second. Ruclaireth Tovar scored on an awkward fielder's choice. With runners at the corners, a pop fly fell in rightfield. Tovar scored, but Glenda Dunet got the force out at second. Mariana Valdez singled up the middle to make it 4-0. Dayanna Batista lined out Rengel at second to end the at-bat.

Cuba tied the game in the top of the third, thriving on two fielding errors and making the most of them with a two-RBI single by Libia Duarte.

Venezuela took back the lead in the bottom half of the frame. With Frandelis Garcia at third and two outs, Abril beat shortstop Dayanni Velasquez's throw to first for an RBI single.

Cuba ended the fifth inning on a smooth double play.

In the top of the sixth Cuba tied the game. Yordanka Rodriguez singled, advanced on a bunt and reached third as Dayana Ramirez singled. Estupinan squeezed in the run with a bunt to pitcher. Venezuela got out of the inning with a double play.

Venezuela scored another go-ahead run in the bottom half of the frame. Abril tripled to left field and scored on a wild pitch. They added an insurance run on three consecutive hits by Srishna Arciniega, Mariana Valdez and Esquia Rengel.

Cuba wasn't ready to give up. Libia Duarte hit a two-RBI single to tie the game. She then stole second and got in scoring position with no one out.

Cuba failed to score in the top of the eighth despite successfully advancing the tie-break runners on a bunt.

Venezuela won it in the bottom half of the first extra-inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Srishna Arciniega pushed a bunt to first on the first pitch she saw to score Tovar from third.

Japan-Chinese Taipei 2-0

Kana Onodera went the distance, allowing only four hits. Japan played excellent defence behind her. Yuki Kawabata and Kae Iwami provided the timely RBI singles.

The ceremonial first pitch was officiated by Sakura Fujiwara, a14-year old who dreams about becoming the next Madonna Japan star.

Japan had a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the first, but Chinese Taipei shorstop Yu Ying Hsieh got Iori Miura at the plate for the second out.

Japan displayed their defensive skills in the top of the second, when starting pitcher Kana Onodera turned a sacrifice bunt attempt into a double play.

Japan took the lead in the bottom of the third. Miura reached on a two-out infield single and got in scoring position stealing second. She scored on Yuki Kawabata's RBI blooper to left field.

Yu Ying Hsieh too Chinese Taipei out of the inning with an impressive diving catch.

Kae Iwami hit an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth to score Hakari Hoshikawa from second and extend Japan's lead to 2-0.

Onodera retired the last 12 outs in order to seal the win for Japan.

Puerto Rico-France 13-3

France had many regrets heading into the seventh down by three runs after blowing consecutive bases-loaded scoring chances and losing a runner at third. Puerto Rico broke the score open with seven runs in their last at-bat.

France scored first as Frederique Noury tripled in the bottom of the second to bring Léna Sellam home.

Puerto Rico reversed the lead in the top of the third with four consecutive two-out hits. The runs scored on a two-RBI double by Lisandra Berrios and an RBI single by Jenny Ortiz.

Puerto Rico extended the lead against reliever Ambre Brouard. They made the most of two walks with an RBI single by Adrix Paradizo and a double steal.

France cut the gap in the bottom half of the frame. Léna Sellam doubled, recording the second hit of her day, and scored on Mathilde Marbrier's RBI single.

Reliever Zoe Collazo loaded the bases with two out in the bottom of the fifth. Angelis Rivera took over and walked in the third French run. She got out of the jam, retiring Celia Souidi on a flyout.

Puerto Rico broke the score open with seven runs on eight hits, including doubles by Alanis Rodriguez and Jenny Ortiz, in the top of the seventh.