Netherlands stun Puerto Rico and earn first Women's Softball World Cup Finals win
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<p>World No. 8 Netherlands stunned No. 2 Puerto Rico. The Dutch thrived on an early lead and won their <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-womens-softball-world-cup-finals/home">WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024</a> debut game <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="3-1 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-womens-softball-world-cup-finals/schedule-and-results/box-score/128725#inning-4" target="_blank">3-1</a>. Starter Lisa Hop and reliever Catherine Girigorie limited Puerto Rico to four hits.</p>
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<p>The Dutch wasted no time against Puerto Rico starter Aleshia Ocasio. Shortstop Britt Vonk earned a leadoff walk, stole second, touched third on an illegal pitch and scored on a base hit to shallow centre field by Maxime Van Dalen. Dutch captain Suka Van Gurp looked at a strike, then drove the second offering deep to left field for an RBI double and made it 2-0.</p>
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<p>Catcher Aleimalee Lopez got Puerto Rico's first hit of the game against Dutch starter Lisa Hop with one out in the top of the third. She advanced on a passed ball and scored on a double by leadoff hitter Nia Carter.</p>
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<p>With Laura Wissing at first and two outs in the bottom of the fourth, left fielder Damishah Charles gave the Netherlands another run as she drove the first pitch she saw to deep left field for an RBI double.</p>
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<p>Catheribe Giigorie relieved Hop in the top of the sixth. Third base Jena Pratte got to her with a one-out double and reached third on a flyout. Girigorie got out of the jam with two flyouts.</p>
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<p>The reliever gave up a two-out double to Lopez in the top of the seventh but got pinch hitter Madison Simon on a grounder to shortstop to end the game.</p>
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<p>Puerto Rico will open Day 2 facing No. 3 Japan at 11:00. The Netherlands will play at 17:30 against No. 10 Australia. All times are local.</p>
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