Latin American shuts out USA West 12-0

Latin America turned things around heading into the heart of the week. Despite the USA West team coming out 3-2 over the Southeast, the defending champions assembled an onslaught of hits and powerful pitching to shut out the Montana team, 12-0.

Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
A Latin America player beats the throw to West catcher Shandy Holm to score a run in Latin America’s win.

A double from Diane Rivera in the third inning brought around three runs, then she was helped in by Alexadra Berrios, giving Latin America a 4-0 lead.

The ASOFEM team from Puerto Rico continued their powering swings, as doubles from Quetsy Colon and Maria Cruz-Sanchez brought in a few more runs in the fifth. Glorily Lozada contributed a hit to bring in a run, too. Rivera followed up her three RBIs with a two-run homer over the left-field fence in the fifth, spreading the gap to 9-0. Three more runs came in the fifth inning, courtesy of Tiffany Sachez and Kendra Laureano, before the 10-run limit was met and the game drew to a close.

Pitcher Dayanne Solivan held the West to one hit and threw five strikeouts, proving to be just as dangerous on the mound as Senior League Softball champion pitcher and teammate Nemesis Vega. The West rotated through three pitchers but was unable to slow down Latin America’s drive.

Latin America’s manager, Carlos Garcia, attributed the win to the presence his team brought to the plate.

“The double and home run were very motivational,” he said through a translator. “This morning, we were batting. We had a lot of practice with swinging the bat and timing. We practiced all day, so we were ready.”
Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
The teams and fans stand for the playing of the national anthem.
As of Wednesday morning, Latin America sat behind Central in Pool B. They had off Wednesday, before facing Southeast on Thursday.