Sementelli pitches complete game shutout; Underwood hits third US homerun of the day 

Martina Semetelli pitched a gem in Venezuela Sunday evening, throwing a four-hit shutout and complete game against Cuba in Maracay’s Aviacion Stadium. The final score was 5-0, lifting the US women to a 2-1 record and a berth in the medal playoff round.

The 17-year-old Sherman Oaks, CA, resident struck out nine and allowed only one walk. She threw 97 pitches, 65 for strikes, and evened her 2010 World Cup record.

For the first four innings, Sementelli and Cuban pitcher Mabel Cuello were locked in a scoreless duel. However, at the top of the fifth, the United States broke the spell and scored when second base player Malaika Underwood of San Diego went yard on a 3-2 pitch, the third over-the-fence homerun of the day. Team USA would score two more runs in the top of the sixth and another two in the seventh to seal the victory.

In overall offense, Team USA had 12 hits. Shortstop Jenna Marston of St. Louis went three for four; designated hitter Wynne McCann of Gilbertsville, PA, went two for three, with an RBI; third base player Clarisa Navarro of La Toya, Texas, went two for four and scored a run as did Tamara Holmes of Oakland. Holmes also had an RBI. Other offense included first base player Jenny Dalton-Hill of Lexington, KY, one for three with a run scored, and catcher Veronica Alvarez of Miami, FL, one for two with a run scored.

For Team Cuba, a new World Cup team this year, losing pitcher Cuello threw 65 pitches in four and a third innings, allowing seven hits, one run, and two walks. In relief, Liacnis Rodriguez threw 42 pitches in two and a third innings, allowing four hits, four runs (three earned), and one walk. She struck out one and had one wild pitch. Mayumi Solano finished the top half of the seventh inning, securing the final out and allowing only one hit. Team Cuba’s offense included hits by second base player Dayana Batista, leftfielder Yamisleidis Perez, centerfielder Mairobis Odelin, and first base player Yuleidy Charon. Catcher Inima Vazuez walked once.

The game was played in a brisk two hours and 10 minutes in front of a crowd of 1,500 spectators. Team USA is slated to play Puerto Rico today at 3:30 p.m. in the final game of pool play.

Other Sunday games

Netherlands versus Australia

Team Australia handed World Cup newcomer Netherlands its second loss, scoring nine runs in the bottom fourth inning alone, in a mercy-rule-shortened four and a half innings. The final score was 16-3.

Sinead Flanigan won her first game for the Australians, throwing 63 pitches, 32 for strikes, and allowing three hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out two. In relief, Welsh Katherine pitched two innings, throwing 32 pitches, allowing two hits and one run, and striking out two.

Team Netherlands pitcher Thari Diefenbach took the loss, allowing 10 hits and 10 runs (nine earned) in three and a third innings. She also walked four and struck out one. Loes Ausmus pitched a third of an inning, allowing three hits, six earned runs, and four walks. Linde Gerristsen struck out the last batter in the bottom of the fourth.

The afternoon game was played in two hours and 15 minutes in front of 4,000 people. Australia evened its tournament record at 1-1, while Netherlands fell to 0-2.

Venezuela versus Chinese Taipei

Host team and World Cup first-timer Venezuela scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to squeeze by Chinese Taipei and win, 5-3.

Venezuelan reliever Diogcelis Guevara earned the victory, pitching three and a third scoreless innings and allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out four and throwing 43 pitches in the effort. She relieved starter Maria Lopez, who pitched three and two thirds innings. Lopez threw 80 pitches and allowed five hits, three runs, and five walks. She struck out four.

In the top of the seventh, designated hitter Kellyn Mendoza hit a single with two runners in scoring position to push Venezuela ahead, 4-3. Then, a single by first base player Johana Perez plated pinch runner Ofelia Arriechi for what turned out to be the final run of the game.

Chinese Taipei reliever Wen-Ching Hsieh pitched a third of an inning to receive the loss, giving up one hit and two runs. Chiao-Yun Huang finished the top of the seventh, allowing three more hits and a run.The game took a little under three hours with 8,451 people in attendance. Team Venezuela improved to 2-0, while Chinese Taipei fell to 1-2.