USA, Japan to meet in final of The World Games softball competition

USA defeated Australia, 5-0, in their semifinal game, while Japan topped Chinese Taipei, 7-0, in their semifinal to set up a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 gold medal game. The final of The World Games will be played on Wednesday, 13 July, at 8:10 p.m. local time. Australia and Chinese Taipei will meet at 4:10 p.m. for the bronze medal game.

USA and Japan have played the last seven World Championship finals, with USA winning five times (2002, 2006, 2010, 2016 and 2018) and Japan two (the back to back titles in 2012 and 2014). 

In addition, The two teams have met in the last two Olympic finals, with Japan winning gold both in Beijing 2008 and Tokyo 2020.

Australia and Chinese Taipei will play in the bronze medal game. Australia’s last medal at a World Championship was a bronze in 2014. Chinese Taipei won their only World Championship bronze medal in 2002.

Australia 0-5 USA

Bottom 4th: AUS 0-5 USA - Haylie McCleney hit a clearing-bases double to right field, and then scores on a double steal play.

Bottom 1st: AUS 0-1 USA - A Hannah Flippen two-out RBI single plates Haylie McCleney from second base.

Chinese Taipei 0-7 Japan

Bottom 6th: TPE 0-7 JPN - An infield hit by Nook Harada allows Kyoko Ishikawa to end the game via the mercy rule.

Bottom 4th: TPE 0-6 JPN - Japan scores four times with a monster bomb to left field by Yamato Fujita and a 2-RBI double by Ayane Nakagawa.

Bottom 2nd - TPE 0-2 JPN - A bases-loaded, two-run single off the bat of Kanna Kudo puts Japan in front. A run-saving diving catch by Chinese Taipei center fielder Chia-Yun Chang puts an end to the inning.

Italy 0-7 Puerto Rico

Bottom 2nd: ITA 0-7 PUR - Puerto Rico explodes with five runs, highlighted by a 2-RBI single by Jenna Cozza and an RBI single by Karla Claudio.

Bottom 1st: ITA 0-2 PUR - Carsyn Gordon blasts a solo shot to center field to put Puerto Rico on the board, while Jaimie Hoover drives in Jenna Cozza.

Mexico 1-8 Canada

Bottom 6th: MEX 1-8 CAN - Larissa Franklin slaps a walkoff RBI single down the left field line to end the game.

Bottom 3rd: MEX 1-7 CAN - Canada adds two runs on an RBI single by Victoria Hayward and a defensive error.

Bottom 1st: MEX 1-5 CAN - Canada explodes with five runs, including an RBI single by Larissa Franklin and a two-run double by Erika Polidori.

Top 1st: MEX 1-0 CAN - Kiana Estrada blasts a solo homer to put Mexico in front.