Bend North's Janelle Guiney pitches against Puerto Rico during the Bend team's 4-2 loss on Monday to open the Little League Softball World Series in Greenville, North Carolina.

Bend North fell 4-2 to Puerto Rico in its first game at the Little League Softball World Series on Monday morning in Greenville, North Carolina.

With the game tied 1-1 after the fourth inning, Puerto Rico, (Guayama Softball Little League,) which won the Latin America Regional, put up three runs to take a commanding 4-1 lead.

“I told the girls after the game we were proud of them,” said Bend North coach Kevin Guiney.

How to watch

Time: Tuesday at 1 p.m. (PDT)

Stream: ESPN+

Against: Europe-Africa

“They battled. They played a heck of a game. (Puerto Rico) is good. I think their pitcher wasn’t overpowering. We were able to get the bat on the ball, but their defense was phenomenal.”

After a mostly quiet first round through the 12-person lineup, Bend found success at the plate the second time around.

Janelle Guiney started the rally with a single with one out. Then Jocelyn Lima, who plays first base, drew a walk; Claire Phillips, who plays third base, laid down a sacrifice bunt. Then catcher Jessie Berry reached first on an intentional walk to load the bases. Right fielder Madeline Switzer then drew a five-pitch walk to bring home Guiney to tie the game 1-1.

But with the bases loaded, one run was all Bend North could muster in the inning.

“The girls battled,” Guiney said.

“We had a few miscues that cost us a run. Some of the balls we hit were right at the fielders. Move the ball a couple feet in either direction and you have a different ball game.”

In the fifth inning, Puerto Rico had four consecutive batters reach base to score three runs in the inning. A double play turned by Kennedy Huff, who plays second base, and Phillips played an important role in keeping the game within reach heading into the final two innings.

In the sixth inning, Guiney brought home another run with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2. Guiney led Bend North in the circle and in the batter’s box. She struck out nine batters and allowed three earned runs on six hits. At the plate she had two hits, scored one run and drove in another.

Bend North will return to the field Tuesday afternoon when it faces Italy, (Lombardia Little League,) which won the Europe-Africa Region. The game is set for 1 p.m. Pacific time and will be streamed on ESPN+. Bend North must win to continue playing in the double-elimination tournament.

“The girls are in good spirits and are excited to play Italy,” Guiney said. “I think we had a little bit of nerves, but I don’t think it affected our play too much. For the most part, for the stage that these girls are on, I think they did phenomenal. I told the girls that I hope we play that team again.”