Casanova’s bat lifts Cuba over Netherlands 4-3 to open World Cup Group B
Yanisleidys Casanova went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored to lead Cuba’s offensive lineup in today’s narrow 4-3 win over Netherlands in Game 1 of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group B, which started today in Valencia, Spain.
Yilian Tornes pitched the complete game for Cuba, striking out six while allowing seven hits, three runs and four walks. He earned the win for the Cuban side.
Netherlands jumped out to an early lead in the first inning, with a two-run double by Maxime Van Dalen. Olympic Britt Vonk and Brenda Beers scored after getting on base on a single and a walk respectively.
Casanova tied the game in the second with a two-run triple to the right field corner, to plate Rosangela Jardines and Maidelis Reyes. Cuba took the lead one inning later on an RBI single by Jardines, and extended their lead with a double off the bat of Elizabeth Robert.
Netherlands made it interesting in the seventh, scoring one with three singles in the innings, including a run-scoring single by Beers, but Cuban lefty Tornes forced a grounder to second base, with runners in the corners and two outs, to end the game.
Left hander Jessie Van Aalst was the losing pitcher, throwing 3.1 innings while giving up seven hits and four runs.