Skardova's second dominant outing sends Czechia to Finals 2025
Nikola Skardova's second dominant performance, featuring 10 strikeouts, lifted Czechia to a 7-1 win against New Zealand in the Repechage game of the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Group A on Saturday at Estádio Municipal de Beisebol Mie Nishi in Sao Paulo, Brazil, securing their ticket to the Finals 2025.
Skardova allowed only three hits and one run in seveninnings of work. Kristyna El Ghannam drove in Amalie Kalcevova in the top ofthe first for the first run of the game, and Denisa Sustrova plated two with asingle to make it 3-0. New Zealand's only run of the game was aninside-the-park home run by Poppy Priddle in the bottom of the first.
After five innings, Skardova had pitched a gem. She collected eight strikeouts while giving up only one run on three hits. The game remained 3-1 in favour of the European champions.
Czechia broke open the game in the top of the seventh with afour-run rally, capped by back-to-back RBI singles by Iva Strakova and SaraRolfesova, extending their lead to 7-1.
Czechia join Chinese Taipei and hosts USA as the three teamswith a secured spot in the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2025, tobe played in Dallas.