No. 1 Japan and No. 2 USA remain undefeated at World Cup of Softball

Post date: Jul 10, 2017 3:56:19 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY – World No. 1 Japan and No. 2 USA remain undefeated after two days of play at the WBSC-sanctioned World Cup of Softball. Australia posted two wins in thrillers against the USA Junior National Team and Puerto Rico.

Japan v Mexico 8:1 (5 innings)

Mexico scored early in the first for their only run of the game. With one out, a single up the middle scored the lead-off batter.

With a scoreless second inning, Japan then scored four runs in both the third and fourth inning to put the game out of reach in a shortened run-ahead rule game.

Japan v Philippines 11:1 (4 innings)

After upsetting No. 4 Australia yesterday, the Philippines had their work cut out for them facing the top pitcher in the world – Yukiko Ueno. But she was too strong as Japan wins 11-1 in four innings.

Japan came out hard and fast, scoring eight runs in the bottom of the first inning. They then scored two more in the third and the final run in the fourth. Nodoka Harada led all hitters in the game with two home runs.

Mexico v USA Jr National Team (JWNT) 5:11

It was a hitters game in the USA JWNT opening contest as they 11 hits into 11 runs in an 11-5 win over Mexico.  With the help of a seven-run fourth inning, the JWNT was able to overcome a late-inning push by Mexico en route to the win.

The game got interesting in the bottom of the fifth when Mexico drove in four runs. A walk and back-to-back singles set up a bases loaded situation and a grand slam cut the U.S. lead to 11-5.  But USA JWNT was able to close out the game with a 11-5 win.

Canada v Philippines 9:2 (5 innings)

The Philippines wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as the lead-off batter doubled, followed by a single and a two-run single to give them a quick 2-0 lead. Canada’s bats went to work in the bottom of the inning, as Erika Polidori smacked a three-run home run to center. A single to right gave Canada the 4-2 lead after the first inning.

In the fourth, Canada score another run off a single. The red and white then put the game away in the bottom half of the fifth by scoring four runs to end the game on the run-ahead rule.

Australia v USA JWNT 6:5

Australia defeated USA JWNT 6-5 for their second win in the World Cup of Softball.  Despite USA jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning, Australia captured the win with a walk off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning.

With the Aussies down to their last at-bat and trailing 5-1, a single and walk put the first two batters on base before a fielder’s choice scored a run. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases as Taylah Tsitsikronis then hit a grand slam to end the game with Australia walking away with the 6-5 win.

Australia v Puerto Rico 3:2

This game was also in doubt right down to the final play. Australia took an early lead off a sacrifice fly and a single to give the Spirit a 2-0 lead.

After Puerto Rico tied it up in the sixth inning, the Spirit reclaimed the lead through a RBI-single.

Needing a clean inning to ice the game, Australia’s Kaia Parnaby got the first two outs before allowing a double to Puerto Rico pinch hitter Alexis Gonzales. A line drive by Elicia D’Orazio sent Gonzales charging home with what would have been the tying run, but an accurate throw by Spirit left fielder Erin Thras and a brave tag by catcher Belinda White ended the game.

USA v Canada 8:2

USA’s pitching continued to shine as they soared to an 8-2 win over Canada live on ESPN.

The U.S. offense pushed across three runs in the top of the second inning with a fly ball to center.

Canada struck back in the bottom of the third after a two-run home run by Erika Polidori – her second of the day – with one out.

Two more runs scored for the U.S. in the top of the fourth inning made it a 5-2 ballgame. USA tacked on another run in the sixth and two more runs in the top of the seventh allowed the U.S. to capture the 8-2 win over Canada.

All tournament details for the WBSC-sanctioned World Cup of Softball, including live streaming, can be found here.