GameTime Classics | Episode 40: Australia v USA in the semifinal of the 2014 Women’s Softball World Cup
USA’s Jaclyn Traina against Kaia Parnaby from Australia in a win or go home game for both sides, with a spot in the final at stake.
The Women’s Softball National Teams of Australia and USA collided in Haarlem, the Netherlands, on 24 August 2014, in the second semifinal of the XIV Women’s Softball World Cup. The winner would go to the final, where an undefeated Japanese team was waiting to defend their world title.
USA had lost the day before against Japan, 6-1, in the first semifinal of the tournament while Australia advanced with a 7-3 win over Canada to secure a medal, with the colour still to be determined.
In the opening round both teams were in Group B and faced each other on August 19. USA defeated the Aussies 4-2 and went on to clinch the top spot in the group unbeaten.
Jaclyn Traina was the starter for a USA team that included Valerie Arioto, Amanda Chidester and Haylie McCleney in the lineup. For Australia, left-hander Kaia Parnaby took the ball alongside Stacey Porter, Jade Wall and Jodie Bowering.
The important semifinal clash will be available for free at www.youtube.com/wbsc at 9 pm Eastern US Standard Time* on Sunday, 3 May (3 am Central European Time* and 10 am Japan Time on Monday 4 May) and Monday at 9 am Eastern Standard Time* (3:00 pm Central European Time* and 10 pm Japan time) at www.facebook.com/wbsc.
The next episode of the GameTime Classics series will be the game between Australia and USA at the U-18 Baseball World Cup 2019.