Skardova's second dominant outing sends Czechia to Finals 2025

Nikola Skardova's second dominant performance, featuring 10 strikeouts, lifted Czechia to a 7-1 win against New Zealand in the Repechage game of the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Group A on Saturday at Estádio Municipal de Beisebol Mie Nishi in Sao Paulo, Brazil, securing their ticket to the Finals 2025.

Skardova allowed only three hits and one run in seven innings of work. Kristyna El Ghannam drove in Amalie Kalcevova in the top of the first for the first run of the game, and Denisa Sustrova plated two with a single to make it 3-0. New Zealand's only run of the game was an inside-the-park home run by Poppy Priddle in the bottom of the first.

After five innings, Skardova had pitched a gem. She collected eight strikeouts while giving up only one run on three hits. The game remained 3-1 in favour of the European champions.

Czechia broke open the game in the top of the seventh with a four-run rally, capped by back-to-back RBI singles by Iva Strakova and Sara Rolfesova, extending their lead to 7-1.

Czechia join Chinese Taipei and hosts USA as the three teams with a secured spot in the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2025, to be played in Dallas.