LIMA, Peru – Back in July, Kendal Lunar began her competition with the Venezuelan National Softball Team, earning World Cup qualification at the Pan Americas Women's Championship in Colombia. This fall, the senior catcher embarks on another chapter with her national squad, fighting for a title at the XX Juegos Bolivarianos. 
 
Also known as the Bolivarian Games, the event is named after Simón Bolivar, the 19^th-century president of Peru. The games feature over 4,000 athletes from 17 countries in Central and South America, including Lunar representing Venezuela. Dozens of different sports are played over the 16-day affair, headlined by softball, baseball, basketball, golf and a multitude of others. The games, organized by the Organización Deportiva Bolivariana (ODEBO), mark the beginning of the Olympic cycle leading up to the 2028 Olympic Games.
 
Senior catcher Kendal Lunar, on what the experience means to her: "Putting on the Venezuela uniform was very exciting. It is awesome being part of an international team and representing my dad's home country. It was a very proud moment for all of us. Our main goal as a team is to bring back the gold medal. I'm looking forward to visiting another country and seeing my teammates again."
 
The action is already underway in Peru, with Lunar guiding the team to a 4-0 start thus far. Venezuela sits atop its grouping with Peru, Dominican Republic and Bolivia. With three days of competition left, the squad sits two points ahead of Peru by a margin of 8-6.
 
The group began the tournament with an 11-4 victory over Dominican Republic, with Lunar mashing a first-inning hit. The next day, Venezuela dominated Bolivia, thumping its way to a 21-0 four-inning blowout. The Aggie catcher notched yet another hit, scoring a run in the second frame. 
 
Later that evening, Lunar picked up her third hit, plating another run as her unit cruised to a 10-2 victory over hosting Peru. Earlier this morning, the career Aggie stepped to the plate yet again for a second duel with Dominican Republic. In her first at-bat, the Alamogordo High School product belted a 2-1 pitch straight back where it came from and over the center-field wall. The blast scoring three runs, doing the heavy lifting in an eventual 6-2 triumph. 
 
Lunar, on her memories with the team: "I hope to remember how exciting, challenging and fun it was. It's all about meeting new people, new teammates and having another great softball experience overall. I will always remember how grateful I am to have this opportunity to play internationally while growing as a player and person."
 
Action continues on Wednesday, Nov. 26, before the softball tournament wraps up this Thursday, Nov. 27. Both a bronze-medal and championship game will be played in Lima's Complejo Deportivo Andrés Avelino Cáceres.
 
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