Bonilla and the Puerto Rico National Team defeated by Venezuela

VALENCIA, Venezuela – Former Spartan softball player Jennifer Bonilla and the Puerto Rico National team were defeated by host Venezuela in the championship game of the 2007 Americas Olympic qualifier. With the victory, Venezuela earns a berth to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Puerto Rico and Venezuela emerged as the top two teams after a week of pool play to advance to the final. Puerto Rico, who was looking for a trip to the Olympics for the second time, fell to the host team 9-0 in the first game and 4-0 in the final.

In its 9-0 win Venezuela featured a complete-game (six innings) no-hitter by pitcher Mariangee Bogado, who struck out six and walked just one. Offensively, Jineth Pimentel led the charge with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, scoring two runs and driving in five, highlighted by a solo home run in the sixth inning. Two runs were scored in the top of the first, followed by three more in the third, and four in the sixth.

The host team continued its dominance in the championship game and put up four runs on five hits en route to their win. Venezuela scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the third inning, fueled by a two-out, two-run home run by shortstop Denisse Fuenmayor.

This will be the first time the Venezuela team has made an appearance in the Olympics. The field for the 2008 Olympic softball competition is set and includes China, United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Chinese Taipei and Venezuela.

- UNCG -