Ghazaleh Sailors has seen action in every game for the United States in the International Baseball Federation Women’s World Cup baseball tournament in Venezuela.
The San Marcos High senior also has experienced some craziness in South America.
“I’ve played really well so far,” Sailors said in an email to Presidio Sports. “I’ve gone 1 for 3 with a run scored and have made some great defensive plays at shortstop. They are using me as mostly as a defensive player since I’m one of the smaller players, but I’ve made some pretty big plays at shortstop.”
She’s also pitched two scoreless innings.
The U.S. lost its first game, 5-1 to Japan, but bounced back to beat South Korea, 21-0, Cuba, 5-0, and Puerto Rico, 9-0, to advance to the medal round.
The craziness occurred on the second day of the tournament. In a game being played in Caracas, the shortstop for the Hong Kong team was hit by a stray bullet during the middle of the game.
“At first they didn’t know what had happened to her but then they saw that the bullet was in her leg and they suspended play for a full day,” said Sailors “While the IBAF investigated the incident. they gave all the players the option to choose whether or not to stay at the tournament. Our team stayed and all the teams decided to stay except for Hong Kong.
“We were locked in our hotel for a full day with nothing to do, but now all games have been moved to Maracay because Caracas is too dangerous,” she continued. “They have tripled the security here and the national guard is with us at all times.”
This is just terrific! Ghazaleh is really doing us proud! One of our own Royals is in Venezuela, playing for the United States.