Emily Freitas’ walk-off thrills home crowd in narrow win over Colombia
Brazil claimed fifth place in the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Group A after a thrilling 6-5 walk-off victory against Colombia. The hosts came from behind in the bottom of the seventh, scoring two runs to clinch the victory.
Colombia took the lead twice in the game, initially with a4-0 advantage in the top of the third and again with a 5-4 lead in the top ofthe fifth. However, they ultimately gave up another tough loss in the bottom ofthe seventh.
Amanda Handa went 3-for-4 for Brazil with two RBIs and onerun scored, while Maria Julia Pedroso hit 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Bothplayers pitched the complete game for Brazil, with Handa working five inningsand Pedroso the last two. Pedroso was credited with the win.
For Colombia, Brook Zuluaga led the team's nine-hitoffensive effort, going 3-for-4. Payton Dedo pitched 1+ inning, giving up tworuns on three hits, and was charged with the loss. Colombia finished sixth witha 0-6 record.
Francela Verdura and Jazmin Mejia reached base on a singleand a walk in the second inning. A two-out dropped foul ball allowed them toscore the first two runs of the game. Brooke Zuluaga drove in Sophia Loreto tomake it 3-0.
Audrey Lum and Francela Verdura singled in the third inning, leaving runners on the corners with one out. A sac fly from Angelly Benitez plated the fourth Colombian run, extending their lead to 4-0.
Brazil reacted with a pair of runs in the bottom of thethird. After two quick outs, Brazil put together a string of three hits, withsingles by Amanda Handa and Ana Luiza Saito, followed by a two-run double fromMaria Julia Pedroso. The game was now 4-2.
The Mie Nishi Stadium went crazy as Brazil tied the gamewith a clutch two-out, two-run single by pitcher Amanda Handa to centre fieldin the bottom of the fourth. The game was now 4-4.
Back-to-back doubles by Audrey Lum and Sofia Villa gaveColombia a 5-4 lead in the top of the fifth.
Down by one run in the bottom of the seventh, NicholeSchultz and Helen Rodrigues tied the game for the host team with twoconsecutive triples to open the inning. Colombia loaded the bases with twointentional walks, but Emily Freitas grounded to second base to drive in thegame-winning run.