Five nations earned a berth in the next WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup, after the conclusion of the U-17 Pan American Championship held in Barranquilla, Colombia. World No. 1 USA, No. 5 Mexico, No. 3 Canada, No. 4 Puerto Rico and No.20 Peru secured a spot in next year’s global event, being the top five teams in the Americas.
The three-time World Champion USA went undefeated to claim the Pan American title, with a 2-0 victory over Mexico in the final of the competition. Caitlynn Neal went the distance in the circle for USA, allowing just two hits in her seven innings of work. Offensively, the champions plated two runs off six hits with Avery Hodge and Hallie Wacaser collecting two apiece.
In the Bronze Medal Game, Canada beat Puerto Rico, 2-1, and completed the podium. Canada took advantage of a costly two-run error in the fourth episode and escaped a potentially big inning in the sixth to earn the win.
Peru finished at fifth place, thanks to a Super Round victory over Colombia by a score of 10-0, and is the last qualified team to next year’s World Cup.
Final standings
- USA
- Mexico
- Canada
- Puerto Rico
- Peru
- Colombia
- Brazil
- Venezuela
- Argentina
- Dominican Republic
