MARACAY, Venezuela -- Team USA watched Venezuela erase a 5-0 deficit

Trailing 7-5 in the top of the seventh, Clarissa Navarro and Tamara Holmes were issued back-to-back walks to lead off the frame. Navarro would steal third before scoring on a fielder’s choice by Karen Costes as the U.S. shaved Venezuela’s lead to one at 7-6. Costes took second on a passed ball and third on a wild pitch but Lelis Gomez rebounded by popping up Sarah Gascon and inducing Wynne McCann to fly out to left to register the save.

Marti Sementelli held Venezuela scoreless for four innings, striking out four and scattering a pair of hits but did not figure in the decision.

However, Venezuela mounted a fierce rally in the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases with one out against reliever Anna Kimbrell on a single, a walk and a hit batsman. Kimbrell then hit Solmari Brito and Leonela Reyes with the pitch, forcing two runs across and cutting the U.S. lead to 5-2. Lindsay Horwitz entered in relief but a pair of RBI singles and a throwing error would knot the game at 5-5. Venezuela benefitted from the U.S.’s second error of the inning which allowed two runs to score to give Venezuela the 7-5 lead.

Team USA took the early lead, loading the bases in the top of the second. Sarah Gascon drew a 3-2 walk and took second on Veronica Alvarez’s fielder’s choice. Wynne McCann laid down a bunt toward the third-base line for a single but Gascon was forced at home on a grounder to third by Malaika Underwood for the first out. Harbert sent a shot that was mishandled by the first baseman, allowing Alvarez to plate the first run. With the bases loaded, Marston drew a walk to push across McCann and Clarisa Navarro delivered the sacrifice fly to center, scoring Harbert for the 3-0 lead.

Underwood sparked the U.S. with a leadoff double in the top of the fourth and took third on Harbert’s infield bunt single. Venezuelan catcher Ofelia Arrieche’s throwing error on Harbert’s stolen base attempt would allow Underwood to score and Harbert to take third and the outfielder would score on a passed ball for the 5-0 USA advantage.

Horwitz took the loss after giving up two unearned runs in 1 2/3 innings while Kimbrell allowed five runs on one hit in 1/3 innings.

Lelis Gomez was 2-for-3 with an RBI and recorded the save while Johana Perez registered two runs batted in.

The U.S. faces Australia tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.