31/07/2024 3 Minute Read

Japan, USA to compete for Women's Baseball World Title; Canada secure spot in bronze medal game

USA secured their spot in the World Championship Final with a 9-0 shutout win over Chinese Taipei, while Japan advanced by defeating Mexico 10-0 in six innings. In the night game, Canada used a seven-run fifth-inning rally, capped by Lucie Anctil's grand slam, to beat Venezuela 10-0 in five innings. Canada will play against the winner of the Mexico-Venezuela game for the bronze medal.

World No. 1 Japan will face No. 4 USA in the World Championship Final of the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals 2024 presented by CARNEXT at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Canada.

On Wednesday, both powerhouses won their fourth consecutive game. Six-time World Champions Japan outscored Mexico 10-0, while USA shut out Chinese Taipei 9-0.

USA and Japan have faced each other four times in the Women's Baseball World Cup Final, with a record of 2-2. USA won in 2004 and 2006, while Japan won in 2012 and 2014.

Japan is on a 39-game winning streak, which stretches back to the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup 2012 in Edmonton when they lost 5-2 to USA in pool play.

No. 7 Canada defeated No. 3 Venezuela 10-0 in five innings on Lucie Anctil's grand slam. They will compete for the bronze medal on Saturday against the winner of Thursday's elimination game between Mexico and Venezuela.

Tournament Links

Canada-Venezuela 10-0

World No. 7 Canada earned the right to play for bronze with a win over No. 3 Venezuela in five innings. Canada scored seven runs in a fifth-inning rally capped by Lucie Anctil's grand slam.

Jaida Lee started for Canada, while Venezuela handed the ball to Mariana Natera.

Canada took the lead in the bottom of the first thanks to back-to-back doubles by Sena Catterall and Madison Willan.

Canada extended the lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the third. Andreanne Leblanc hit an RBI stand-up double to left field, scoring Sena Catterall from second. Mia Valcke scored the third run on a sacrifice fly by Alizée Gélinas.

Canada won the game by the run-difference rule in the bottom of the fifth. Andréanne Leblanc and Alizée Gélinas hit RBI singles off the wall, and the sixth run scored on an error.

Lucie Anctil faced reliever Ruclaireth Tovar with the bases loaded. She looked at two balls, then went deep over the right-field wall for a game-ending grand slam.

GAME REPORT

USA-Chinese Taipei 9-0

World No. 2 Chinese Taipei missed their scoring opportunities, making things easier for No. 4 USA, who earned their fourth consecutive win and a spot in Saturday's final, their first since 2014.

Chinese Taipei sent right-hander Li-Ching Huang to the mound, while USA started Elise Berger.

USA scored in their first at-bat. Li-Ching Huang hit Ashton Lansdell and walked Alex Hugo to lead off the game. Lansdell stole third and scored on Olivia Pichardo's sacrifice fly to centre field.

Chinese Taipei loaded the bases in the top of the second, but Berger retired Yu-Chuan Tu on a pop to first to end the threat.

Kelsie Whitmore likely prevented a Chinese Taipei run by limiting a two-out liner by Yi-Hsuan Chiu to a single. Berger got out of the inning on strikes, and Chinese Taipei left two more runners on base.

Jillian Albayati extended the USA lead to 3-0 with a two-RBI double in the top of the third.

Whitmore extended the lead further to 5-0 with a double along the left-field line in the bottom of the fourth. The sixth run scored on a passed ball.

USA added a run in the top of the fifth. Ashton Lansdell reached on a two-out double. She stole third and scored on an error.

Valerie Perez made it a 9-0 game with a two-RBI single in the top of the sixth.

GAME REPORT

Japan-Mexico 10-0

World No. 1 Japan scored four runs in the bottom of the first and outscored and outhit Mexico 16-2 to secure their fourth win and advance to Saturday's World Championship Final.

Japan started Natsuki Kubo, while Mexico handed the ball to Veronica Romo.

Japan's leadoff hitter, Iori Miura, needed just five pitches to reach base with a hit. However, Mexico's catcher, Marcela Diaz, threw her out trying to steal second.

Japan's bats overwhelmed Mexico as Haruna Tadano reached second with two outs. Madonna Japan capitalised on this opportunity with four consecutive hits as Miwa Naraoka and Misaki Namai each doubled, while Akari Hoshikawa and Miu Shiraishi singled, giving Japan a 4-0 lead.

Maricela Aguilera replaced Romo in the bottom of the third with runners on the corners. Aguilera allowed a fifth Japanese run due to an error, and Misaki Namai followed with an RBI double, extending the lead to 6-0.

Japan ended the game by the run-difference rule in the bottom of the seventh against Selene Huerta, Mexico's fourth pitcher. Miu Shiraishi hit a bases-loaded two-RBI double, and Misaki Namai added her fourth hit and fifth RBI of the day.