The wait is over! The countdown has ended, and the WBSC Baseball World Cup Play of the Year is finally here. It belongs to Samaria Benitez, the shortstop of the Mexican Women's National Baseball Team that participated in the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group A in Thunder Bay, Canada.
Mexico and Hong Kong, China, played their third game at the Women's Baseball World Cup at Port Arthur Stadium with a 1-1 record, so the game proved to be critical for both teams in their quest for a spot in the Finals 2024.
Both teams exchanged six runs in the second inning, so in the third frame Mexico needed to stop their Asian rivals to hold a three run lead. On a 0-2 count, Chung Yan Yuen knocked what looked like a base hit through the middle of the infield. However, Benitez ranged almost over second base, laid out to make the stop, rolled over and fired from the ground to record the second out of the inning.
Mexico would finish the game with a 16-6 win, and ended the tournament advancing to the World Championship Finals, which will be held in 2024 in Thunder Bay, Canada.