Mexico defeat Venezuela in extras, advance to bronze medal game

World No. 5 Mexico defeated No. 3 Venezuela 3-2 to advance to the bronze medal game of the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals 2024 presented by CARNEXT at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Canada.

On Thursday, Mexico starter Rosa Del Castillo carried a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh but gave up the tying runs. Mexico clinched the victory in the top of the eighth, and Flor Valerio secured the final three outs.

Venezuela starter Frandelis Garcia allowed back-to-back walks to lead off the third inning. Maria Valenzuela bunted the runners to third and second.

Garcia had to leave with an injury, and Venezuela handed the ball to Stephany Suarez. The right-hander walked the bases loaded but got Diana Ibarra to hit into a force out at third to end the at-bat.

Suarez walked Marcela Diaz and Denise Perez to lead off the fourth. Diaz stole third, but Venezuela got the first out at home plate on a double steal attempt. With Perez at second, Gabriela Sandoval doubled to centre field to give Mexico the lead. Samaria Benitez followed with an RBI single to make it a 2-0 game.

Suarez allowed a single to Edith De Leija and then left for Abril Amaro. The right-hander struck out Valenzuela to escape the inning.

Mexico starter Del Castillo was within six outs of the win, but Venezuela tied the game with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Ruclaireth Tovar and Suarez reached on back-to-back singles. Kimberly Caidedo doubled on the fourth pitch she saw to tie the game.

Del Castillo intentionally walked Mariana Valdez, then got Mariana Natera to ground into a double play to the mound, sending the game to extra innings.

Liliana Segovia bunted the tie-break runners Diana Ibarra to third and Marcela Diaz to second in the top of the eighth. Ibarra scored the go-ahead run on Marlen Lagunes's sacrifice fly. Amaro escaped the at-bat on another flyout.

Valerio took the mound for Mexico in the bottom of the eighth.

Yohelis Colina failed to advance the tie-break runners, Valdez and Natera, as she popped a bunt attempt to the pitcher. Valerio retired Yakary Molina and Frandelis Garcia on flyouts, sending Mexico to the bronze-medal game.

No. 7 Canada will be the home team in the bronze-medal game against Mexico, scheduled for Saturday, 3 August, at 11:00 local time.