Japan defeats USA to win World Cup of Softball XI
Oklahoma City, OK (USA) – One run proved to be the deciding factor in both the Bronze and Gold medal games as Japan defeated USA 2-1 to win their 3rd overall World Cup of Softball title. This marks their second win over USA in as many weeks following their victory in the International Softball Series […]
Oklahoma City, OK (USA) – One run proved to be the deciding factor in both the Bronze and Gold medal games as Japan defeated USA 2-1 to win their 3rd overall World Cup of Softball title. This marks their second win over USA in as many weeks following their victory in the International Softball Series last week in Japan. In the Bronze Medal match, the Australia won over the USA Elite in a 4-3 decision.
The largest field of teams to date, the WBSC-sanctioned invitational proved to be last minute opportunity to get ready for the 13 participating teams prior to the Women’s Softball World Championship in Surrey, Canada starting this week.
Gold Medal Game
Japan 2, USA 1
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It was a typical USA vs Japan ballgame, as one run proved to be the difference in the Gold Medal finale at the World Cup of Softball XI as USA fell 2-1 to Japan.
USA struck first in the top of the first inning on a standup double by Kelsey Stewart to score Haylie McCleney. Japan then responded in the bottom of the frame with back-to-back singles to score Yu Yamamoto.
The bats were silent for both sides until the bottom of the fifth when Japan plated a run after two singles and a hit batter loaded the bases. USA’s McCleney made another diving catch in center, but Hitomi Kawabata was able to tag up and score to give Japan the 2-1 lead.
USA tried to get a rally going in the seventh by loading the bases. However, the U.S. rally was halted with a popup and a strikeout to give Japan the 2-1 win.
Bronze Medal Game
Australia 4, USA Elite 3
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It was a tightly fought game between the USA Softball Women’s Elite Team and Australia in the Bronze Medal Game with the Aussies drawing a 4-3 win to earn the Bronze.
In the bottom of the first inning, Australia’s Jade Wall doubled to score Chelsea Forkin for an early 1-0 lead.
That lead doubled an inning later, as Janice Blackman’s two-out single scored Georgia Blair, who had walked and advanced on Stacey McManus’s single.
The USA Elite tied up the ball game in the top of the third inning as Amanda Lorenz doubled to bring Allexis Bennett home. Entering as a pinch runner for Lorenz, Morgan Zerkle came around to score on an RBI single from Sam Fischer to make it a tied ball game.
A leadoff walk and a double plated Janie Blackman, giving Australia the 3-2 lead in the third inning. Trailing by one, USA’s Madeline Jelenicki blasted her third home run of the World Cup of Softball to once again tie the game.
Heading into the bottom of the seventh with a 3-3 score, Australia loaded the bases. After a back-and-forth duel with Taylah Tsitsikronis a walk was issued for the walk-off, Australian win.
