VENEZUELA – Daibelis Gimenez tossed 6 1/3 scoreless relief innings and Venezuela overcame an early six-run deficit to edge Puerto Rico, 8-7, last week in the championship game of the 1st Women´s Baseball Pan American Championship.

Venezuela (5-1) took a quick 1-0 lead in the opening frame before previously unbeaten Puerto Rico (5-1) pulled evened in the second, and erupted for six runs the following inning to go ahead, 7-1.

The tournament host answered back with a six-run fourth to knot the score at 7-all. Then, Gimenez and Puerto Rico’s 15-year-old pitching sensation Krizia Rivera took over.

The 20-year-old Venezuelan right-hander registered the final 19 outs while limiting Puerto Rican hitters to a pair of singles and four walks. Rivera (1-1) was equally impressive allowing Venezuela only three hits and striking out six over five frames before surrendering the winning score in the ninth.

FINAL STANDINGS
1. Venezuela
2. Puerto Rico
3. Cuba
4. Dominican Republic

Veteran infielder Lesly Gomez and Marianni Perez paced the championship squad with two hits apiece. The 23-year-old centerfielder also drove in a pair of scores while shortstop Leonela Reyes came off the bench to swipe three bases.

Ana Maldonado, 22, led Puerto Rico with three hits while teammates Krystle Valliere and Lisandra Berrios added two hits apiece.

16-year-old Venezuelan starter Diogcelis Guevara (3-0) was credited with the win despite an ugly 2 1/3 inning stint that included eight hits and six runs.

ALL-STAR TEAM:

C: Yariam Rivera, Puerto Rico
1B: Yuleidy Charon, Cuba
2B: Dayana Batista, Cuba
SS: Krystle Valliere, Puerto Rico
3B: Lisandra Berrios, Puerto Rico
OF: Yairis Diaz, Cuba
OF: Danna Cruz, Puerto Rico
OF: Marianni Perez, Venezuela
P: Diogcelis Guevara, Venezuela

Most Valuable Player: Daibelis Gimenez, Venezuela
Champion Manager: Luis Martinez, Venezuela

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:

Leading Hitter – Sorianni Viez, Venezuela (.800)
Most Hits – Lisandra Berrios, Puerto Rico (8)
Most RBIs – Yinoska Claudio, Puerto Rico (9)
Most Runs Scored – Krystle Valliere, Puerto Rico (11)
Most Stolen Bases – Yalvanys Cervantes, Cuba (5)
Best Pitcher (ERA) – Diogcelis Guevara, Venezuela (0.00)
Best Pitcher (W-L Avg.) – Kryzia Rivera, Puerto Rico (1-0/6.1 IP)
Most Outstanding Player – Lisandra Berrios, Puerto Rico

Photo courtesy of www.escambray.cu

Tags: Women