International News: Day 1 of WBSC World Cup Group B Action Sees Two Upsets

The following recap is courtesy of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC)… 

The WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group B got off to a cracking start at the Camp Municipal de Beisbol i Sofbol de València with two upsets and an impressive win from the home team Spain.

The first day of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group B in Valencia, Spain saw Cuba beat the Netherlands, China over come Puerto Rico and Spain prove too good for South Africa.

Game 1: Cuba 4, Netherlands 3

Cuba started the day with an impressive 4-3 come-from-behind against the Netherlands, to record their first win against the European champions after losing to the Netherlands in the 2016 and 2010 editions of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup.

• Netherlands v Cuba 3-4 Box Score/Play by Play Highlights

🇨🇺 Yilian Tornes and Yanisleidys Casanova lead Cuba to first win in the World Cup#SoftballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/SOJem7gZ0v

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) July 18, 2023

*****

Game 2: China 2, Puerto Rico 0

China, the only country in this group to have medaled at a previous World Cup, then followed with a solid 2-0 win over tournament favorites Puerto Rico in the second game of the day.

• China v Puerto Rico 2-0 Box Score/Play by Play Highlights

🇨🇳Steady pitching gives China first win!!!#SoftballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/pwUVKDihEZ

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) July 18, 2023

*****

Game 3: Spain 14, South Africa 0

Home team Spain then turned on an impressive 13-0 streak in their opening inning before beating South Africa 14-0 at the end of four innings, based on the run ahead rule.

• South Africa v Spain 0-14 Box Score/Play by Play Highlights

🇪🇸 Hosts Spain clinch first tournament win!!!#SoftballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/y61GM2MaaK

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) July 18, 2023

*****

… and the Game 1 Player of the Day was:

🥎⚡🇨🇺 What a clutch performance by Yanisleidys Casanova. Casanova is our WBSC Player of the Day at the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup.#SoftballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/vXjcGabn7o

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) July 18, 2023

Looking Ahead to Day 2:

🔥🏆🔜 Check out tomorrow's WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group B schedule!#SoftballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/UFaNEd3bQu

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) July 18, 2023