Southwest takes battle from Latin America
By John Denny
Staff Reporter

Kristie Leal, above, makes the throw for the force out at first. Below, Latin America congratulates teammate Jeannevian Kinburn for hitting a homerun in the second inning of Wednesday's game. Southwest went on to win 3-1. Photos by RUSLANA LAMBERT

USA Southwest manager Joe Leal was well aware of the implications of their game against Latin America and knew that it would be important to score first if they were to win.

“Latin America is a very tough team, they are very athletic and have surprising speed in the outfield,” Leal said. “I was amazed how quickly they were able to get to a ball and hold us to one base instead of two. The critical play was the steal in the first inning, because the ball was there. The catcher just dropped it. Their speed made us play more conservatively. But we’re the type of team that takes those kinds of risks.”

With two outs, runners on the corners and first baseman Amanda Delgado already behind 0-1 on a called strike in the bottom of the first inning, Leal gave the nod for the double steal.

Catcher Jenevieve Jimenez safely stole second and centerfielder Marie Rioux made the 60-foot mad-dash for home plate, to give USA Southwest a 1-0 first-inning lead. Jimenez tried for third on the play, to home plate, but was gunned out on an excellent heads-up play for a 2-5 tag-out by Jannylu Farrell and Farisette Martina.

Latin America’s Jeannevian Kinburn quickly tied up in the second inning, with the first homerun of the tournament on a monster bomb that ricocheted of the California state flag in left-centerfield. But a critical error in the bottom of the fifth allowed USA Southwest to add to their lead.

Second baseman Ashley Perez hit a ball sharply to Kinburn, giving her plenty of time for the throw to first. But instead she gave it a little flip that landed low, allowing the batter to reach base and giving USA Southwest runners on the corners with one out. Rioux then planted a fielder’s-choice bunt to the pitcher, Suliviendra Hooi. But in an attempt to stop them from scoring, Hooi decided to hold the ball and load the bases.

Kinburn would redeem that mistake, and an earlier error committed in the fourth inning, by converting the RBI 6-3 fielder’s choice on Jimenez’s next at-bat.

In an audacious attempt to score another run, Perez made a break for home following a 1-2 count to third-baseman Kristie Leal as Farrell tossed the ball back to Hooi.

Fortunately for her and her team, Perez’s move worked and USA Southwest took a 3-1 lead for the win.

“We like to run, and sometimes good things happen,” Leal said.

USA Southwest starting pitcher Nichelle Sandoval (2-0) earned her second win, tossing five strong innings and giving up only one run on two hits while striking out five. Blanca Idar relieved Sandoval for an efficient final two innings, striking out two and giving only one hit.

Of Idar’s 29 total pitches, 21 of them landed for strikes.

Hooi (2-1) earned the loss over a 76-pitch complete-game effort, while walking two and striking out four.