Venezuela defeated Mexico 4-2 on Sunday morning, ending Mexico’s hopes of their first Pan American medal. Venezuela’s Erick Urbaneja picked up the win, with Mexican reliever Judiel Olais taking the loss. in a closely contested game.
Mexico took an early 1-0 lead, but Venezuela tied the game at 1. Mexico tallied another for a 2-1 lead, but again, Venezuela tied the game at 2. In the 5th, Mexico’s workhorse starter Samuel Villalvazo finally tired, and gave way to youngster Juadiel Olais in the fifth after a leadoff walk. Venezuela loaded the bases against Olais, but he escaped harm, coaxing a home-to-third double play.
Venezuela took their first lead in the 6th, on a one-out double into the left field corner for two runs, and hanging on to defeat Mexico, 4-2.
With the win, Venezuela guaranteed themselves a medal, and will face the USA in the bronze medal game, for a chance to face Argentina for gold. (In the last PanAm event, in 2015, Venezuela won silver, Argentina bronze, with Canada winning their 8th consecutive gold).
The USA faced Venezuela in their very first game of the 2017 Pan American Championship, falling 8-4 in extra innings.
En Espanol:
Venezuela derrotó a México por 4-2 el domingo por la mañana, poniendo fin a las esperanzas de México de su primera medalla Panamericana. El venezolano Erick Urbaneja logró la victoria, con el relevista mexicano Judiel Olais en la derrota. en un juego muy disputado.
México venció por 1-0, pero Venezuela empató el partido en 1. México anotó otro para una ventaja de 2-1, pero de nuevo, Venezuela empató el partido con 2. En el quinto lugar, Samuel Villalvazo, dio paso al joven Juadiel Olais en el quinto después de un paseo leadoff. Venezuela cargó las bases contra Olais, pero se escapó del daño, persiguiendo un doble juego de casa a tercera.
Venezuela tomó su primera ventaja en el sexto, en un doble de un tiro en la esquina del campo izquierdo por dos carreras, y colgando para derrotar a México, 4-2.
Con la victoria, Venezuela se aseguró una medalla, y se enfrentará a los EE.UU. en el juego de medallas de bronce, por una oportunidad para enfrentar a la Argentina de oro. (En el último evento PanAm, en 2015, Venezuela ganó plata, bronce argentino, con Canadá ganando su octavo oro consecutivo).
Estados Unidos enfrentó a Venezuela en su primer partido del Campeonato Panamericano 2017, cayendo 8-4 en innings adicionales.
Summary of earlier game between USA and Venezuela:
From USA Softball Game Changer
USA Men’s National Team Falls In Back-And-Forth Affair Against Venezuela (Opening Round game)
USA Men’s National Team and Venezuela played a tight game, but Venezuela pulled out the 8-4 victory on Sunday. The game was tied at four with Venezuela batting in the top of the eighth when Luiger Pinto doubled off of Tony Mancha, driving in one run.
Venezuela captured the lead in the second inning. Luiger Pinto homered on a 3-2 count in the second inning, scoring two runs.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, USA Men’s National Team tied things up at four. USA Men’s National Team scored one run when Duane Weiler singled with two outs in the seventh inning.
USA Men’s National Team scored three runs in the fourth inning. USA Men’s National Teamscored its runs on a home run by Jeff Nowaczyk.
Erick Urbaneja earned the win for Venezuela. He threw eight innings, surrendering four runs, five hits, and striking out five. Tony Mancha took the loss for USA Men’s National Team. He went six and two-thirds innings, surrendering five runs, seven hits, and striking out six.
Home runs for Venezuela came when Yeider Chirinos homered in the seventh inning, Luiger Pinto homered in the second inning, Carlos Carreno homered in the eighth inning, and John Zambrano homered in the eighth inning.
Derrick Kennedy, Jenner Christiansen, Nowaczyk, Erick Ochoa, and Weiler each collected one hit to lead USA Men’s National Team. USA Men’s National Team was sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Ochoa made the most plays with nine.
Venezuela collected nine hits. Carlos Carreno, John Zambrano, and Luiger Pintos each collected multiple hits for Venezuela. Venezuela didn’t commit a single error in the field. John had the most chances in the field with 11.
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