No. 2 USA remains undefeated after three days at the World Cup of Softball
Post date: Jul 10, 2017 3:59:0 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY – The USA Women’s National Team shut out World No. 1 Japan at the World Cup of Softball on the third day of pool play. This marked the first time since Japan was shutout at the World Cup of Softball since 2010 when the U.S. handed their rivals the same result.
USA v Japan
5-0
USA wasted no time in taking the lead as Ali Aguilar blasted a ball over the left field fence to plate two. A single from Michelle Moultrie put another two on for the U.S.
The score would stand until the top of the third inning when USA added another two runs to their lead. Kelsey Stewart singled to start the inning, moved to second on a walk to Aguilar and made a sneaky steal to put runners on the corners. A walk to Valerie Arioto loaded the bases before Delaney Spaulding singled with a line drive to left field to allow the speedy Stewart and Aguilar to cross home safely.
Japan managed to push through their sole hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth after Minami Sato singled to lead off their at-bat.
Haylie McCleney would add the fifth and final run of the game for the U.S. in the top of the sixth inning with a solo home run.
Canada v Mexico
12-7
Canada opened the scoring off a two-out double and single. Mexico tied the game in the bottom of the frame, but Canada responded by scoring four times in the second for the 5-1 advantage.
In the fourth, Canada added two more runs through a walk, single and double for a 7-1 ball game.
After a scoreless fifth inning, Canada added two runs to its lead when Victoria Hayward hit a two-run homer to increase the lead to 9-1. Mexico was able to claw back with four runs to make it 9-5 in the bottom of the inning,
But Canada responded with three runs on a two-run blast by Kelsey Jenkins and a solo shot by Carey-Leigh Vyse for a 12-5 lead.
Mexico proceeded to load the bases to start the bottom of the seventh and was able to push two runs in to score, but that was as close as they would get.
Puerto Rico v Philippines
8-5
Puerto Rico defeated Philippines 8-5 thanks to a strong start. Puerto Rico captured the lead in the first inning. With two outs in the first inning Quianna Diaz drove in three runs when she tripled.
Puerto Rico collected 12 hits. Claudio, Diaz, Monica Santos, and Morganne Flores each collected multiple hits for Puerto Rico. Claudio went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Puerto Rico in hits.
Philippines had 13 hits in the game. Dani Gilmore, Angelie Ursabia, and Garie Blando each collected multiple hits for Philippines. Hailey Decker went 1-for-2 at the plate as she led the team with two runs batted in.
Philippines vs USA Jr National Team (JWNT)
7-14
Both sides started the game with two runs each in the first inning.
Philippines would respond with a three-run home run in the top of the second inning to take the lead, 5-2. With the U.S. trailing by three, Jessica Harper sent the ball out of the park cutting that lead to just two runs. Two doubles later, USA took a one-run lead.
A pair of singles and an illegal pitch gave USA three more runs in the third efore Bubba Nickles cleared the bases with a home run, the third of the game for the U.S., to push their lead to 12-5.
Philippines scored their final two runs of the game in the top of the fourth inning, and from there on out it was USA-controlled game. Sis Bates picked up two more RBI in the bottom of the fourth with a single to right field.
Canada v Puerto Rico
6-3
Puerto Rico got on the board early with a run in the top of the first and added a two-run home run in the second for a quick 3-0 lead. But Canada chipped away with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second, then tied the game the next inning.
In the fourth, a run-scoring single and a RBI double to center gave Canada a 5-3 lead. The Canadians added another insurance run in the fifth.
Puerto Rico threatened with runners on base in each of the sixth and seventh innings but the Canadian defense held up strong to secure the 6-3 win.
USA v USA JWNT
8-1 (5 innings)
It was an all Stars and Stripes field as the USA JWNT and USA faced off in a U.S. vs U.S. showdown. While the JWNT took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, it would be the WNT who walked away with the 8-1 (five innings) win over their junior counterparts.
Japan v Australia
8-0 (5 innings)
Japan’s three pitchers didn’t allow a single hit, as Japan defeated Australia 8-0 on Friday. Japan secured the victory thanks to eight runs in the second inning. Japan’s big inning was driven by a triple by Haruka Agatsuma, and singles by Eri Yamada, Yu Yamamoto, Nodoka Harada, and Yamato Fugita. Agatsuma, Fugita, and Harada each drove in two runs to lead Japan.
Standings after Day 3
USA (5-0)
Japan (5-1)
Australia (3-2)
Canada (3-3)
USA JWNT (3-3)
Puerto Rico (2-3)
Philippines (1-5)
Mexico (0-5)
All tournament details for the WBSC-sanctioned World Cup of Softball, including live streaming, can be found here.