Central shuts down Latin America

Jillian Busfield knocked in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning, and Lauren Anderson plated two more with a two-out double to give USA Central (South Bend, Ind.) a 3-0 win over defending-champion Latin America (Maunabo, P.R.) in the opening game for both teams of the Senior League Softball World Series in Roxana on Sunday, Aug. 9.

Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
Glorily Lozada holds an Central player off the bag.

The teams were locked in a scoreless battle for much of the game, as Latin America’s Dayanne Solivan and Central’s Jenny Balls exchanged shutout innings. Latin America had a chance in the top of the first inning, when Glorily Lozado was hit by a pitch with two outs and Magdaly Arroyo followed with a bloop single to center. But Balls was able to get Diane Rivera to pop out and end the rally.

Central had an opportunity slip away in the bottom of the fourth when Kalie Niezgodski tripled to left to lead off the inning. Taylor Kurzhal then hit a sharp grounder to shortstop Alexandra Berrios, who wisely turned her attention to the runner, and Niezgodski was tagged out at home in a close play after a rundown. Solivan was able to escape any further damage and preserve the 0-0 tie.
Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
Dayanna Solivan tags out Kali Niezgodski.

But Central broke through in the bottom half of the sixth. Niezgodski led off with a walk and moved to second when Taylor Kurzhal walked. Balls attempted to move the runners over with a bunt, but Niezgodski was thrown out at third for the first out of the inning. Busfield followed with a single to score Kurzhal, and Latin America got pinch-runner Kelsey Presting out in a rundown. With two outs, Taylor McSheffery drew a walk to put runners on first and second, and Anderson hit her two-run double off the fence in center.
Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
Stephanie Wheatley pitches in the opener against East.

Balls struck out the side in the top of the seventh to give Central the tournament-opening win.