Wallace scores the only run, USA beats Japan

The USA beat Japan, 1-0, and are now the only  undefeated team in the WBSC U-19 Women’s Softball World Cup. The USA scored in the first with one of the only two runners allowed by Japanese starter Imu Goto. Skylar Wallace was actually tagged for the out at home, but the run scored because of obstruction at third base.

Wallace was standing at first when third baseman Charla Echols grounded to shortstop and kept running towards third when the throw went over the head of Japan’s first baseman. Wallace stopped after reaching the third-base bag, then headed to home plate, where she was tagged for the out. The third base umpire ruled her stop at third an obstruction and the run scored.

The only run of the game, on an obstruction call

JPN 🇯🇵 v 🇺🇸 USA pic.twitter.com/Xh8v3fPum9

— WBSC #U19SoftballWC (@WBSCsoftball) August 16, 2019

The USA tried to score again on a double steal attempt combined between temporary runner Coleman and Echols. Coleman pinch ran for catcher Julia Cottrill, who had drawn a walk. She headed to second, then stood by in a trap and allowed Echols to take off for home. The throw by shortstop Ako Imamura got her at home plate.

Goto wouldn’t allow another runner. The USA reached base again only in the bottom of the sixth, when reliever Chise Yamashita walked Echols.

Megan Faraimo earned the win for the USA pitching a spectacular complete game. She allowed only three hits and struck out 14.

Catcher Aruka Sumitani led off the bottom of the seventh driving Faraimo’s fifth pitch off the wall in right field for the first extra-base hit allowed by the USA starter in the tournament. Faraimo worked her way out of the jam with some little help from Sumitani herself. With two out, the catcher tried to steal third and became the final out of the game.

Megan Faraimo