Maiarangi Waipara homers as New Zealand defeat Czechia

Maiarangi Waipara homered in the fifth inning and Kaiyah Ratu tallied four RBIs in New Zealand's 8-3 win over Czechia, closing Day 2 of the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Group A at Estádio Municipal de Beisebol Mie Nishi in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday.

McKenzie Bailey-McDowell earned the win for New Zealand, allowing seven hits and three unearned runs while striking out four. She lowered her ERA to 3.11 for the tournament. For Czechia, Nikola Skardova took the loss, surrendering four hits and four runs in three innings.

Czechia took an early lead in the top of the third inning when Amalie Kalcevova reached on a fielding error by third baseman Maysen Kurene-Iwikau. Kristyna El Ghannam then hit a line drive to centre field, scoring Kalcevova and giving Czechia a 1-0 lead.

New Zealand responded immediately in the bottom of the third. With one out, Bailey-McDowell and Poppy Priddle singled and advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Ratu then hit a clutch two-run go-ahead triple, putting New Zealand ahead. Maysen Kurene-Iwikau walked and Waipara added two more runs with a single to right field, extending the lead to 4-1.

In the top of the fourth, Czechia scored another run as New Zealand struggled on defence. Iva Strakova walked and scored on three consecutive throwing errors, making it 4-2.

New Zealand answered back in the bottom of the fourth with a three-run rally. Siobhan Bolger's run-scoring single and Ratu's two-RBI single extended their lead to 7-2. Waipara sealed the win in the fifth inning with a no-doubt homer, making it 8-2.

Despite Czechia's effort to rally in the fifth, New Zealand’s defence held firm, allowing just one more unearned run and securing the 8-3 victory.