Ana Luiza Saito stars as Brazil outlast New Zealand
Ana Luiza Saito’s multi-hit game and late-inning heroics led Brazil to an 8-6 victory over New Zealand, keeping their tournament hopes alive in the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup.
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<p>Brazil outlasted New Zealand <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-ii-u-18-womens-softball-world-cup-group-a/schedule-and-results/box-score/146393">8-6</a> on Thursday in Game 11 of the tournament to claim their second win in the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-ii-u-18-womens-softball-world-cup-group-a/home">WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup</a> Group A at Estádio Municipal de Beisebol Mie Nishi in Sao Paulo, Brazil.</p>
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<p>Ana Luiza Saito went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs
scored, earning her the Player of the Day title. Amanda Handa also had a
multi-hit game from the leadoff spot, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and one run
scored. Handa also pitched the complete game for Brazil, allowing eight hits,
six runs and four walks, with six strikeouts.</p>
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<p>Brazil took an early lead in the first inning. Saito and
Maria Julia Pedroso singled with one out, moved to second on a sac bunt, and
then scored easily with a long two-run single by Beatriz Nakamura, putting
Brazil ahead 2-0.</p>
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<p>A pair of RBI singles by Saito and Handa, along with two defensive errors, allowed Brazil to score three more runs in the top of the second, extending their lead to 5-0.</p>
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<p>New Zealand answered back with three runs in the bottom half
of the inning. Siobhan Bolger hit a two-out, two-RBI triple, and then scored on
a Kaiyah Ratu double to centre field, making it 5-3 for Brazil.</p>
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<p>In the fourth inning, Saito drove in Bruna Notoya with a
grounder to shortstop, extending Brazil's lead to 6-3. Maya Mune later scored
on a Notoya double down the left field line, followed by Notoya scoring on a
single by Handa, making it 8-3 for Brazil.</p>
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<p>New Zealand mounted a late comeback attempt in the bottom of
the seventh, scoring three runs, but their efforts fell short. Brazil held on
for an 8-6 victory.</p>
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