30/08/2024 8 Minute Read

WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup 2024 Group C - Day 2: USA beat Australia, Canada to remain perfect; Mexico win in extras; Philippines claim first triumph

The host team swept their double header, defeating Australia, 10-0, in four innings; and Canada, 9-1, in six, to stay perfect in the standings. Mexico beat the Philippines, 6-4, in a nine-inning marathon to open the day. However, the Philippines bounced back in their second game of the day to down Ireland 5-2.

Only USA remain undefeated after Day 2 of the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup 2024 Group C tournament in Dallas. The hosts swept their double header, defeating Australia, 10-0, in four innings; and Canada, 9-1, in six, to stay perfect in the standings. Mexico downed the Philippines, 6-4, in a nine-inning marathon to open the day. However, the Philippines bounced back in their second game of the day and beat Ireland 5-2.

After Friday's results, USA lead the standings holding a 3-0 record, followed by three teams: Australia, Canada and Mexico, who are tied at 1-1. The Philippines are 1-2 for the tournament, while Ireland close the standings with a 0-2 mark.

Althea Palzario pitched a complete game for the Philippines in Friday's win over Ireland. She struck out 10 in seven innings, giving up eight hits and one earned run. She was our Player of the Day.

The Village Dallas also enjoyed an illustrious visit on Friday. Cat Osterman, Olympic gold medal winner in Athens 2004, silver medallist in Beijing 2008 and Tokyo2020 and two-time WBSC Women’s Softball World Champion (2006 and 2010), threw the ceremonial first pitch before the USA vs Australia game.

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With two outs and a runner on third in the top of the seventh, losing by one, Mexico's first baseman Karina Rodriguez hit a clutch RBI single up the middle to tie the game against Philippines and send it to extras. Mexico would win the 3.5-hour game in the ninth inning, 6-4, to even their record 1-1.

In the top of the ninth, Mexico took advantage of a defensive error to put two runners on, score twice on a sac fly by Izel Avalos and a single by Ana Paula Oquita.

Jenny Robledo started for Mexico and pitched the first 5.1 innings of the game, being replaced by Lilianna Acosta in the bottom of the sixth. However, she came back into the circle to take care of the eighth and ninth inning retiring six of the next seven batters (she only gave up an intentional walk). She was the winner of the game, with 7.1 innings pitched, nine hits and four allowed; while striking out six.

The Philippines had recovered from a 3-1 deficit to take a one-run lead in the sixth with a two-RBI single to centre field by Erica Arnaiz. However, being one out away from clinching the game, they couldn't hold the lead.

With this result, Mexico's record is now 1-1, while Philippines dropped to 0-2. They will play against Ireland in the next game of the tournament.

With a complete game performance by Althea Palzario and a 10-hit game as a team, the Philippines defeated Ireland, 5-2, in the second game of the day, splitting Friday's doubleheader after the morning loss to Mexico. Palzario struck out 10 in seven innings, giving up eight hits and two runs.

In the bottom of the third, Ireland tied the game with one out and had the bases loaded. Ryann Burke hit a line-drive to first base which was caught by first baseman Jiyah Caban, who stepped on the base for an easy, inning-ending double play. This was the pivotal moment of the game, turning what could have been a big inning into a missed opportunity for Ireland.

In the fifth, the Philippines took a three-run lead that secured the game for them.

With the win, the Philippines is now 1-2 in the standings; while Ireland collected their second loss in as many games.

A two-run homer by Ella McDowell and an eight-strikeout, four-inning shutout by Alexa Hames higlighted USA's 10-0 win against Australia at The Village Dallas. After scoring once in the first inning, USA put together a string of three consecutive three-run innings to secure their second win of the tournament.

Hames was dominant with her riseball, allowing two hits and two walks while retiring eight of the 12 outs via strikeouts. Australia's two hits in the game came off the batt of designated player Kate Luyten, who finished the game 2-for-2.

Offensively, McLaine Hudson went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored from the leadoff spot, while Cameryn Harrison, Townsen Thomas and Ryan Allen all collected two hits in the game.

USA, who will face Canada next in the last game of the day, has now a 2-0 record, while Australia will finish the day 1-1.

Townsen Thomas went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI, while Sofia Mujica hit a three-run homer in the first inning to power USA to a 9-1 victory against Canada to close day two of the competition. USA collected 13 hits in the game.

USA's Cameryn Harrison pitched a great ballgame, allowing three hits, one run and two walks in six innings, while striking out two. She was the winner of the game.

Canada's only run came in the bottom of the fourth, when first baseman Jana Want blasted a solo homer on a 1-2 pitch by Harrison. It was Canada's first hit of the game.

With this win, USA stay hot on top of the standings with a 3-0 record. They have won all three games by the run-ahead rule, and on Saturday they will face Mexico. For Canada this is their first loss ahead of Saturday's double header, where they will face Ireland and Philippines.

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USA 9 - 1 Canada - Boxscore

Top 6th - USA increase their lead to 9-1 with a two-out, two run double by Brooke Wells into the left center field gap. She's 2-for-4 for the game.

Bottom 4th - Jana Want smashed a solo homer over the left field fence to put Canada on the board. This was Canada's first hit of the game, and it's also the first run allowed by USA in the tournament. The game is now 7-1.

Top 3rd - An RBI single by Townsen Thomas and a two-run double off the bat of Ryan Allen added three more runs for USA. Cayden Tullier was thrown out at home with a spectacular play by Canada's center fielder Cali Chapman and catcher Chloe Bethune.

Top 1st - USA take a quick lead in the game, on an opposite field three-run homer by Sofia Mujica. Townsen Thomas then scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-0 for USA. All four runs were scored with two outs on the board.

Starting pitchers: Chloe Hocquard (CAN) - Cameron Harrison (USA)

Preview - Another big rivalry will have a new chapter here in Dallas on the last game of the day, with neighbours USA and Canada facing each other. Canada got on the win column yesterday defeating Mexico. Their last meeting was also in the 2019 edition of this World Cup, with a 12-0 win for USA in four innings. Megan Faraimo and Alexis Kilfoyl tossed a no-hitter that day.

USA 10 - 0 Australia - Boxscore

Top 4th - Ella McDowell blasted a two-run homer, highlighting a three-run inning for USA. Isabella Ruggiero also got an RBI with a grounder to second. USA get a 10-0 lead.

Top 3rd - A fielding error with two outs and two runners on opened the door to another three-run rally for USA. Ryan Allen hit a two-run double in the inning. USA is now leading 7-0.

Top 2nd - The hosts score three runs on four hits, including a two-RBI knock by McLaine Hudson in a 10-pitch at bat. Payton Westra also collected an RBI with a single up the middle. USA lead 4-0.

Top 1st - USA strike first in the game. McLaine Hudson laid down a bunt for a single, stole second base and moved to third on a wild pitch. She finally scored on a sac fly from Isabella Ruggiero to give USA a 1-0 lead.

Starting pitchers - Arwen Kavanagh (AUS) - Alexa Hames (USA)

Preview - USA and Australia will meet at 3:30pm after winning their openers yesterday. USA topped Ireland in Game 3, while Australia downed Philippines in Game 1. They played for the last time in this event in 2019 in Irvine, for the Super Round of that World Cup. USA defeated the green and gold team, 9-0.

Philippines 5 - 2 Ireland - Boxscore

Bottom 7th - Ireland score once in the bottom of the seventh, on an error by shortstop Mylia Perez, but the comeback falls short as Ryann Burke flied out to left field.

Top 6th - The Asian squad increase their lead scoring once. Trisha Hicayen singled to the right field and later scored on a single to right field by Mylia Perez. It was Philippines' 10th hit of the game. The score is now 5-1.

Top 5th - Philippines mounted a three run rally with two away in the fifth inning. Rhea Manalo and Elena Eigner singled, and then scored on a go-ahead double by Jiyah Caban to the left field line. Caban herself scored on a single from Kamille Beals. The score is 4-1.

Bottom 3rd - After two quick innings for Althea Palzario, Ireland's bats come alive in the bottom of the third to tie the game. The Europeans used four hits, including an RBI single by Ciara McMenamin, to score one and load the bases with one out, before a line-drive was caught by first baseman Jiyah Caban, who stepped on the base for an easy inning-ending double play.

Top 3rd - Philippines jump ahead in the score with an RBI single by Rhea Manalo. A lead-off walk by Althea Palzario, who moved to second on a wild pitch, set the table for Manalo's RBI knock. The Asians lead 1-0.

Starting pitchers: Andrea Hegarty (IRL) - Althea Palzario (PHI)

Preview - In the second contest today, Philippines will take on Ireland. First pitch is scheduled at 12:30. Ireland made their debut against USA, losing 15-0 in three innings. This will be the first time these two teams will face each other in a U-18 Women's Softball World Cup.

Mexico 6 - 4 Philippines - Boxscore

Bottom 9th - Robledo retires in line with a pair of fly balls to first base and a strikeout to close the game.

Top 9th - Mexico take advantage of a defensive error to score two on a sac fly by Izel Avalos and a single by Ana Paula Oquita. Mexico take a 6-4 lead.

Bottom 8th - Jenny Robledo re-enters the circle and keeps Mexico in the game. Robledo retired the three outs on a pair of strikeouts and a fly ball to send the game to the ninth inning.

Top 8th - Philippines retires in line the first three batters on a pair of fly balls and a grounder, preventing the tie-breaking runner from scoring. The game remains 4-4.

Top 7th - Lilianna Acosta retire in line the seventh inning and we go to extras.

Top 7th - Down to the last out, Mexico tied the game. Aryana Salazar hit a one-out double to left field, moved on a fly ball behind first base, and scored on a clutch two-out single by Karina Rodriguez.

Bottom 6th - Philippines hit three singles to load the bases with one out, and Mylia Perez worked a four-pitch walk to score her team's second run of the game. Lilianna Acosta took the ball for Mexico, replacing Jenny Robledo, and forced Rhea Manalo to a grounder to third for the second out of the inning at home. However. Acosta couldn't avoid a two-RBI line-drive single to center field by Erica Arnaiz to give the lead to Philippines again. The game is 4-3 for Philippines

Top 6th - Mexico take the lead in the game. Ana Oquita and Karina Ibarra hit back to back singles, and Clarissa Mejia drove Oquita in with a single to center field. It was the last pitch for Philippines lefty Erica Arnaiz, who was replaced by Angelica Latriz, who couldn't avoid the second run of the inning on a bunt by Danna Viera, who collected her second RBI of the game. Mexico lead 3-1.

Bottom 5th - Erica Arnaiz ripped a one-out triple to the right field corner, but she couldn't score as Shein Espinoza grounded to third and Jiyah Caban struck out swingwing for the third out of the inning. The game is still 1-1.

Top 5th - Erica Arnaiz replaces Callie Christian in the circle for Philippines. Christian pitched four innings, giving up three hits and one run. Arnaiz walked Ayari Vanblaircom to start the inning and then a wild pitch put the runner in second base, with no outs. However, the left handed pitcher struck out the next two batters and forced Aryana Salazar to a soft liner to second base to end the inning.

Top 4th - Mexico score their first run of the tournament to tie the game. Clarissa Mejia was hit by a pitch, and pinch runner Johana Robledo stole second base. From there she scored on an RBI single by Danna Viera. The game is tied now 1-1.

Bottom 3rd - Philippines take the lead in the game. Mylia Perez walked and stole second base to put herself in scoring position, and then scored easily on a double by Rhea Manalo. Philippines lead 1-0.

Top 3rd - Mexico threatened putting runners in scoring position and one out, on a pair of singles by Natalie Rodarte and Izel Avalos. However, Aryanna Salazar grounded and Philippines shortstop Mylia Perez threw Rodarte out at home plate. Ana Quita hit a fly ball to center field to end the inning.

Bottom 1st - Mylia Perez hit a lead-off double, moved to third on a sac bunt and then a hit by pitch and a walk loaded the bases with two outs for the Philippines. However, Callie Christian hit a popup to short stop to end the inning. For Perez, it was her fourth hit in five at bats, with three extra bases.

Starting pitchers: Callie Christian (PHI) - Jenny Robledo (MEX)

Preview - The first game of the day today will feature Mexico and Philippines, with both teams looking for their first win of the tournament. The game is scheduled at 9:30am local time. Yesterday, Philippines lost to Australia, 7-4, in spite of an amazing performance by Mylia Perez, who went 3-for-4 with a homer, a double and single. On the other hand, Mexico had a bad start against Canada, losing 9-0. They collided for the last time in this event in 2017, playing twice in as many days. Mexico won both contests, 1-0 and 5-3.