Women’s Baseball World Cup Opening Round Concludes: Australia score ‘famous’ victory over USA; Canada tops Netherlands

GIJANG, Korea – The decisive final day of the Opening Round on Monday saw the National Teams of Australia, Canada and Chinese Taipei secure the remaining three spots into the elite Super Round of the LG Presents WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup 2016 at Hyundai-Gijang Dream Ballpark.  Venezuela and Japan concluded the round as the only undefeated nations, winning Group A and B, respectively.

Needing a win by five or more runs, Australia beat USA, 10-2, to escape elimination and advance from Group C into the Super Round.  Pitcher Abbey Kelly made her debut and limited USA’s offence over six innings to earn the historic win.  Baseball Australia called the win “one of the most famous victories in Australian Baseball history.”

The women’s baseball pinnacle event in Gijang will be the first time in history that the U.S. will not earn a medal in the Women’s Baseball World Cup, as Chinese Taipei defeated Hong Kong, 13-3, to win Group C.

In Group B, Canada claimed the second spot into the Super Round, alongside Japan, with a 7-1 win over the Netherlands.

With world No. 1 Japan, No. 3 Australia, No. 4 Canada, No. 5 Venezuela, No. 6 Chinese Taipei and No. 11 Korea, Canadian National Team manager Andre Lachance said: “There will be no easy games in the next round.”  Japan will have its 15-game win-streak tested.

ICYMI: 🇯🇵 Japan Home run !!!!!! Yurika Arisaka 💪💪💪 @samuraijapan_pr @madonnajapan1 #WomensBaseball #WorldCup https://t.co/F3kIWRDgDY

— WBSC (@WBSC) September 5, 2016

Cuba, Hong Kong, India, Netherlands, Pakistan and USA will compete for 7th – 12 Place.

Scheduling and other announcements for the Super Round and the Consolation Round will be made on Tuesday (6 Sept.).