Havana, September 17 (JIT) -- The Cuban national team lost by a score of 7 to 8 on Saturday to Venezuela in the fourth day of Group B of the IX Miyoshi 2023 Women's Baseball World Cup in Japan.

The game was close from start to finish and was decided in extra-inning, at the end of the eighth inning. The Venezuelans scored their eight runs with 13 hits against the only Cuban pitcher in the game, the experienced Yanet Cruz, who also gave away three tickets and two strikeouts.

Several opponents hit two or more hits in the game, with Abril Marín, 4-3 with one run batted in and one run scored. On the Cuban side, Libia Elvira Duarte was outstanding, 4-3 with four teammates brought to the plate. 

The winning team also used only one pitcher, Mariana Natera, who in eight chapters allowed nine hits, gave up three tickets and struck out an equal number of times.

After that defeat, the Cubans have an adverse balance of 1-3 and see their chances of advancing to the next phase (in 2024) compromised, in the absence of a tough match against the Japanese this Sunday. 

At this moment, Japan leads the key with 4-0, ahead of Taipei of China (3-1), Venezuela and Puerto Rico (2-2), Cuba (1-3) and France (0-4). The first three places will advance to the next round.