31/08/2024 6 Minute Read

WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup 2024 Group C - Day 3: USA clinch first place in Opening Round; Canada beat Ireland & Philippines to secure Play-Offs spot; Shutout win for Australia.

With four games remaining in the Opening Round on Sunday, all six teams still have a mathematical chance to advance to Monday's Play-Offs. Only USA and Canada have secured their spots in the Play-Offs so far.

Another exciting day at The Village Dallas on Day 3 at the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup 2024 Group C saw world No. 1 USA secure first place in the Opening Round with a 15-0, three-inning win against No. 8 Mexico on Saturday, improving their win-loss record to 4-0.

World No. 5 Canada also secured a spot in Monday's Play-Offs with back-to-back triumphs against No. 21 Ireland (8-0) and No. 16 Philippines (6-0) to improve to 3-1 in the standings while No. 9 Australia defeated Ireland, 4-0, in the first game of the day behind a complete-game shutout by Jayda Lorigan and will open the last day of the Opening Round on Sunday with a 2-1 win-loss record.

With four games remaining in the Opening Round, all six teams still have a mathematical chance to advance to the Play-Offs. Only USA, who have already clinched first place, and Canada have secured their spots in Monday's Play-Offs. Meanwhile, Australia, Mexico, the Philippines, and Ireland must wait for Sunday's results to determine their fate in the competition.

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Shortstop Angelique Iredale blasted a two-run homer in the top of the fourth and Jayda Lorigan pitched a seven-inning shutout to lift Australia over Ireland, 4-0, in the first game of the day at The Village Dallas on Saturday.

Australia had 10 hits in the game, but lacked the clutch hit for most of the game. They loaded the bases three times but could only cash in in the sixth inning, with a two-run single by third baseman Kate Luyten.

Lorigan tossed extremely well, striking out seven while giving up three hits and one walk in seven innings of work.

With the win, Australia move to 2-1 in the standings and will close the Opening Round on Sunday with a doubleheader against Mexico and Canada. For Ireland, it was their third loss in as many games.

Canada's starting pitcher Rylee Ruppel tossed four extraordinary innings, giving up only one hit while striking out four, to lead Canada to an 8-0 victory over Ireland, their second of the tournament.

Danika Livingstone went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, including a pivotal lead-off triple in the bottom of the fourth which ignited an eight-run rally for Canada. Caitlin Colley and Chantal Carriere contributed with a pair of RBIs in that inning.

Ireland's starter Michaela Powel limited Canada to one hit and one walk in the first three innings of play, with two strikeouts. She was replaced by Aoife Weaver to start the fourth, who surrendered the eight runs of the game and was charged with the loss.

For Canada, Chloe Hocquard pitched the fifth inning, retiring the three outs via strikes, allowing one hit and two walks. Ruppel was the winning pitcher for Canada.

Caitlin Colley highlighted Canada's 11-hit offensive performance with a solo homer in thje fifth, leading her team to a 6-0 win against Philippines. With the win, Canada finish the day 3-1 in the standings.

Danika Nell started for Canada and pitched four innings, giving up two hits while striking out nine and walking one. She was the winning pitcher. Morgan Reimer took care of the last three innings, with five strikeouts.

Avery Tucker, Colley, Cali Chapman, Chantal Carriere and Kenzie Hess had two hits in the game.

For the Philippines, Trisha Hicayen went 2-for-2, while Callie Christian hit 1-for-3.

Philippines dropped their mark to 1-3.

With an amazing display of offensive power, USA defeated Mexico, 15-0 in three innings, and secured first place in the Opening Round. The hosts belted five home runs while tallying 14 hits in the shortened game.

McLaine Hudson, Brooke Wells (inside the park), Ella McDowell, Ryan Allen and Payton Westra went yard in the game, powering the US offensive outburst.

From the circle, Saylor Timmerman and Addisen Fisher combined to pitch three perfect innings. Timmerman started the game and pitched one inning with two strikeouts; while Fisher struck out four in the two remaining innings.

USA improved their record to 4-0 and will close the Opening Round against the Philippines, while Mexico will play Australia and Ireland in Sunday's doubleheader.

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Mexico 0 - 15 USA - Boxscore

Bottom 3rd - Brooke Wells walked, moved to third on a double by Ella McDowell, and scored the game-ending run on a grounder to the pitcher. USA win 15-0 in three innings.

Bottom 2nd - USA add six on seven hits, including back to back dingers by Ryan Allen and Payton Westra and an inside the park homer by Brooke Wells. The score is now 14-0.

Bottom 1st - Two absolute bombs to the left field bleachers by Ella McDowell and McLaine Hudson highlighted an eight-run first inning for USA. Hudson homered with two runners on, while McDowell did it with one runner on. Brooke Wells also collected two RBIs in the big inning. USA lead 8-0.

Starting pitchers: Abril Gomez (MEX) - Saylor Timmerman (USA)

Preview - USA and Mexico will close the day at 6:30pm. The two North America neighbours come from winning days yesterday, with the four-time defending world champions sweeping their doubleheader and Mexico winning a nine-inning drama against Philippines. They faced for the last time in the last edition of this event in Lima, on 7 December 2021, with a 5-3 victory for the US.

Philippines 0 - 6 Canada - Play by play

Bottom 6th - Avery Tucker hit a lead-off double and then scored from third on a grounder to shortstop by Danika Livingston. She was then called out at second trying to steal the base with a perfect throw by Mary Sicapore. Canada leading 6-0.

Bottom 5th - Caitlin Colley went deep in the fifth, sending a 0-1 pitch well into the left field bleachers. The game is now 5-0.

Bottom 4th - Canada started with back to back hits, putting runners in the corners and forcing a pitching change by Philippines. Erica Arnaiz handed the ball, but couldn't prevent the two Canadian runners from scoring. Kenzie Hess hit a single to shortstop to drive in one, and then Avery Tucker plated Chantal Carriere with a single to right field. Canada now leading 4-0.

Top 4th - Philippines put two runners on scoring position with one out, on a walk and a double by Callie Christian. However, Danika Nell Struck out Jiyah Caban in three pitches, and Kamille Beals with a rise ball to end the inning. The game remains 2-0 for Canada.

Bottom 2nd - An extra-base hit by Danika Livingstone ignited again Canada's offence for a two-run inning. With runners in the corners, Chantal Carriere grounded softly to shortstop for an infield hit, driving in the first run of the game and forcing a throwing error by Mylia Perez allowing Caitlin Colley to score from first. Canada is ahead, 2-0.

Starting pitchers: Danika Nell (CAN) - Althea Palladio (PHI)

Preview - Canada will complete their own doubleheader against Philippines, in a key showdown for both teams. A win for Philippines would put them in great position to secure one of the top-four spots in the Opening Round standings. They have faced twice in the history of the competition, with two wins for Canada in the 1991 and 1995 World Cups.

Ireland 0 - 8 Canada - Boxscore

Bottom 4th - Aoife Weaver replaced Power in the circle, and Canada scored a run right away. Danika Livingstone sparked a five-run rally with a lead-off triple into the left center gap. She scored later on a sac fly to center field by Chantal Carriere. Since that point, Canada string together eight hits and a walk to score seven more runs. The game is now 8-0.

After three innings of play we're still scoreless. Canada's Rylee Ruppel and Ireland's Michaela Power have allowed only one hit each in the game. Ruppel has two strikeouts with no walks; while Power has two Ks and a walk.

Starting pitchers: Rylee Ruppel (CAN) - Michaela Power (IRL)

Preview - Ireland will face Canada in the second game of their doubleheader, starting at 12:30. The Canadian squad, who also face a doubleheader on Saturday, sit second in the standings with 1-1 after yesterday's loss to USA, 9-1. This will be the second Ireland vs Canada game in the history of the competition as they faced on 25 July 2017 in Clearwater, USA, with an 8-0 victory for the red and white.

2024 U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Group C - Game 9 IRL vs CAN

Australia 4 - 0 Ireland - Play by play

Top 6th - Australia double their difference in the sixth. A two-out, bases-loaded single by Kate Luyten drove in Lekhyhia Jackson and Lauren Brown to make it 4-0.

Bottom 4th - After 3.1 perfect innings, Australia's starter Jayda Lorigan issued a walk to put the first Irish runner on base. She retired the side then with back to back fly balls to center field.

Top 4th - Ireland sent a new pitcher into the circle. Andrea Hegarty replaced Cameron Kelly. However, Australia's left fielder Lauren Brown reached on a throwing error with one out, and two pitches later lead-off hitter Angelique Iredale belted a two-run homer to put Australia in front, 2-0.

Top 3rd - For the second consecutive inning Australia have loaded the bases but couldn't score. In the second inning, Angelique Iredale struck out to end the inning. This time a Caitlyn Hosking grounder ended the threat for the Aussies. We're still scoreless in the game.

Starting pitchers: Cameron Kelly (IRL) - Jayda Lorigan (AUS)

Preview - At 9:30am, Australia will take on Ireland in the first game of the day. Australia will try to bounce back after their four-inning loss against USA yesterday and get back on the win column. On the other side of the field, Ireland need a win today to remain in contention for a spot in Monday's playoffs. This is the first time these two times will face off in a U-18 Women's Softball World Cup.