09/03/2021 2 Minute Read

USA tops Mexico in first international softball game of the year

USA, the No. 1 team in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Rankings, defeated No. 5 Mexico, 4-2, in the friendly series opener at Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater.

International softball is back. On Monday (8 March), USA topped Mexico in the first of three scheduled games in Clearwater, Florida, which the high-ranking squads are using to prepare for softball’s upcoming historic Olympic return this summer in Japan. The hosts beat their southern neighbours, 4-2, in the first international softball game of the year.

USA's Amanda Chidester hit a solo shot in the third frame, while Anissa Urtez hit a home run for Mexico in the top of the seventh inning. Lefty Keilani Rickets started for USA, with Randi Rupp and Ally Carda entering in relief. Danielle O’Toole and Sierra Hyland pitched for Mexico.

On Tuesday, both teams will play the second game of the series at the same venue at 11 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (5 p.m. CET). You can see the game at USA Softball website. The final game of the series will be played on Wednesday (10 March), at the same hour.

You might also be interested in:
- USA Softball to play four televised Olympic tune-up games in Florida next week
- USA vs Mexico three-game softball series set for 8-10 March in Clearwater, Florida
- Japan's Olympic softball roster to be announced on 23 March, following training camp
- Softball Australia opens three-week Olympic training camp aiming to medal at Tokyo Games
- Cat Osterman plans on retirement following 2021 season
- USA Softball Olympic Team reassembles in Florida for training camp
- Mexican National Softball Team to open Olympic year with training camp in California
- 200 days to softball’s historic Olympic return at Tokyo 2020

Following the series, the U.S. Women’s National/Olympic Softball Team will compete in three exhibition matchups against the University of South Florida (March 12-14), followed by a solo contest against the University of Florida (16 March). All four games will be live-streamed ESPN+ (the games against USF) and SEC Network+ (the contest against UF).

Mexico and the US will clash on Day 4 (24 July) of the Tokyo Olympic Softball competition, at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. USA will open against No. 10 Italy, while Mexico will face No. 3 Canada. Both games will be played at Fukushima Azuma Stadium, on 21 July.