Day 1 at The World Games was rained out in the afternoon, with the last two games of the day affected by the inclement weather. After four complete innings, the game between Japan and Australia was suspended; while the last match of the day between USA and Italy was postponed. The WBSC has announced the updated schedule for Sunday, 10 July.
In the first two games of the day, Puerto Rico defeated Mexico 3-1, while Chinese Taipei topped Canada, 9-4.
Check all the information of the tournament (schedule, stats, rosters, standings) at The World Games softball event dedicated website.
Australia vs Japan
After four complete innings, the game has been delayed due to inclement weather in the area.
Bottom 4th: JPN 10-1 AUS - Japan adds three more runs with a Yume Kiriishi sacrifice fly, and RBI by Hitomi Kawabata and Minori Naito.
Bottom 2nd: JPN 7-1 AUS - Japan answers with a two-out rally in the bottom half of the second. Two-out RBI singles by Yuka Ichiguchi and Yamato Fujita and 2-run homer off the bat of Hitomi Kawabata increased the score to 7-1.
Top 2nd: JPN 2-1 AUS - Taylah Tsitsikronis goes deep to left-center field and reduces the gap to 2-1.
Bottom 1st: JON 2-0 AUS - WBSC Player of the Year 2021 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games MVP Yamato Fujita puts Japan on board with a no-doubter to left field to give the Olympic champions a 2-0 lead.
Game 3 of The World Games softball competition is just underway! World No. 2 Japan takes on No. 8 Australia in Group B.
Chinese Taipei 9-4 Canada
Top 5th - With a runner on base, Ting-En Chiang sent one to the right field corner for a triple, and scored on an error by right fielder Kelsey Lalor. Chinese Taipei is now leading 9-4 after five and a half.
Bottom 4th - Canada reduces the deficit to three, after scoring one in the Bottom of the fourth. The red and white team left two runners on base. Both teams have combined for 20 hits in the first four innings (11 TPE, 9 CAN).
Top 4th - Chinese Taipei's heart of the order makes damage, with back to back 2-out RBI by first baseman Chih-Ying Lin and designated player Chia-Yi Chen. The Asians lead 7-3.
Bottom 3rd - Kianna Jones plates Kelsey Jenkings with a single to left field to reduce the deficit to 5-3. Jones is 2-for-2 with 2 RBI so far.
Top 3rd - Chinese Taipei rallies for four runs and takes the lead again. An RBI single by Chih-Ying Lin tied the game, and a go-ahead RBI double by Szu-Shih Li made it 3-2. Pitching change in Canada: Morgan Racket to pitch for Jorde Chartrand. The Asian team adds two more on a 2-run single by Yi-Fan Ho. Chinese Taipei leads, 5-2.
Bottom 2nd - Canada comes from behind with back to back home runs by Kianna Jones and Erika Plidori. Chia-Chen Tsai replaces Hsia-Ai Ke in the pitching circle for Chinese Taipei.
Top 1st - Chinese Taipei jumps ahead in the score with an RBI single off the bat of Chia-Yi Chen. The Asian squad leads 1-0 after one complete inning.
Puerto Rico 3-1 Mexico
Puerto Rico wins Game 1 of The World Games. Lifted by Aleshia Ocasio's stellar performance, the Caribbean squad defeated Mexico, 3-1. The two-way player pitched seven innings of one run ball, giving up five hits and one run, while striking out nine.
Top 7th - After six complete innings, the game remains 2-1 for Puerto Rico. Aleshia Ocasio leads off the seventh with a triple. Raci Miranda replaces Sierra Hyland in the circle for Mexico. Karla Claudio drives Ocasio in with a single to left field to add an insurance run for Puerto Rico. We go to the bottom of the 7th, 3-1 Puerto Rico up.
Bottom 1st - Mexico answers with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Marlene Espinoza scores Mexico's first run of the tournament. Puerto Rico leads 2-1 after one complete inning.
Top 1st - Aleshia Ocasio opens The World Games with a leadoff homer for Puerto Rico. The two-way player sent one over the right field fence for the first dinger of the tournament. The Caribbean added three consecutive hits and to score one more and get an early 2-0 lead.
The World Games softball competition is underway!!! Puerto Rico takes on Mexico in Game 1 of the event.
