15/07/2024 3 Minute Read

Japan, Netherlands, USA and Italy open Women's Softball World Cup Finals with wins

The Dutch surprised the world on Day 1 by overtaking Puerto Rico. Italy showed a lot of power and some consistent pitching. Japan and USA confirmed themselves as the favourites. "This tournament is one step towards the women's softball tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics," said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari during the Opening Ceremony.

Japan, the Netherlands, USA and Italy won on the first day of the XVII Women's Softball World Cup Finals in Castions di Strada, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. Game four, China-Italy, started after the Opening Ceremony.

The Dutch win against Puerto Rico was the biggest surprise of the day. The favourites, Japan and the United States did not have easy debuts against Australia and Canada. They prevailed, thanks to their strengths. Japan's defence kept Australia scoreless in their best moment, and USA showcased the depth of their pitching staff. Italy enjoyed the win with the most significant margin and displayed impressive power, hitting three home runs.

"We are anticipating 22 games showcasing the best of women's softball," said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari during the Opening Ceremony. Addressing the players, he added, "The floor is all yours for the next six days. This tournament is one step towards the women's softball tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics."

The XVII WBSC Women's Softball Opening Ceremony

Italy-China 6-0

World No. 6 Italy outslugged China with nine hits, including three home runs. Alice Nicolini went the distance for the win, allowing five hits and striking out one.

Italy and China took the field after the opening ceremony. Alice Nicolini started for the hosts. China gave the ball to Yinan Chai.

Italy took the lead in the bottom of the first on back-to-back doubles by Erika Piancastelli and McKenzie Barbara.

Barbara scored the second run on a two-out single to left field by Elisa Cecchetti.

Italy extended the lead in the bottom of the sixth when McKenzie Barbara and Andrea Filler homered back-to-back. Barbara's was the first home run in the tournament.

Yu Chen Wei replaced Yinan Chai. Melanie Sheldon welcomed her with a double and Marta Gasparotto followed with a pinch-hit home run on the first pitch she saw extended Italy's lead to 6-0.

GAME REPORT

USA-Canada 5-2

World No. 1 USA came from behind to defeat a brave Canada. Right fielder Maya Brady batted in the winning runs with a two-RBI double in the bottom of the sixth. Reliever Kellie Maxwell pitched four no-hit innings and earned the win.

Ally Carda started for the defending World Champions USA. Canada gave the ball to Morgan Rackel.

Canada scored first. With two outs and Erika Polidori on first, right fielder Callum Pilgrim doubled to deep right centre to make it 1-0.

Polidori made it 2-0 when she doubled to left field, scoring Grace Messmer from second, in the top of the third.

Kelly Maxwell took over for Carda in the top of the fourth.

USA got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth when Jessie Warren hit a slow roller up the middle with runners at the corner. Shortstop Janet Leung got the force-out at second but could not prevent Amanda Lorenz from scoring.

USA tied the game at two in the bottom of the fifth on back-to-back singles by Haylie McCleney and Hannah Flippen.

Maya Brady gave USA its first lead in the bottom of the sixth. The right fielder smashed the first pitch she saw in the gap to left-centre for a two-RBI double.

Sarah Groenewegen replaced Bodrug. McCleney batted in the fifth run with a sacrifice fly.

GAME REPORT

Netherlands-Puerto Rico 3-1

World No. 8 Netherlands stunned No. 2 Puerto Rico. The Dutch took an early lead in the bottom of the first. Lisa Hope and reliever Catherine Giigorie limited Puerto Rico's offence to four hits.

Lisa Hop started for the Netherlands, while Puerto Rico gave the ball to Aleshia Ocasio.

The Dutch took the lead in the bottom of the first. Ocasio walked leadoff hitter Britt Vonk, who stole second and advanced to third on an illegal pitch. She scored the go-ahead run on a base hit by Maxime Van Dalen to shallow centre field. Captain Suka Van Gurp tripled to left field to make it 2-0.

Puerto Rico got on the scoreboard in the top of the third on a two-out and RBI double by leadoff hitter Nia Carter.

Left fielder Damishah Charles extended the Dutch lead with an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth.

Puerto Rico replaced Ocasio with Gianna Mancha in the bottom of the fifth.

Catheribe Giigorie relieved Hop in the top of the sixth. She took care of the final six outs allowing only two hits.

GAME REPORT

Japan-Australia 3-0

World No. 3 Japan defeated No. 10 Australia in the opening game of the XVII Women's Softball World Cup Finals. Miu Goto went six innings and Sakura Miwa took care of the final six outs. Yui Sakamoto had a two-RBI game.

Miu Goto started for Japan, while Australia gave the ball to Kandra Lamb.

The first three innings went scoreless, with Japan reaching first only once. Australia had runners in scoring position in the second with two outs, but a fine play by Hitomi Kawabata at second retired Madison Scott to end the threat.

Shortstop Kyoko Ishikawa ended Australia's fourth at bat retiring Jade Wall despite a head-first slide to first with Georgia Hood rounding third.

Ishikawa gave Japan the first runner in scoring position on a throwing error to first in the bottom half of the frame. She reached third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a double to left by first base Eri Shimoyama.

Australia gave the ball to Kaia Parnaby. With two outs, Yui Sakamoto doubled to left field to extend Japan's lead to 2-0.

Ellen Roberts replaced Parnaby in the bottom of the sixth. Yui Sakamoto got to her with an RBI single to make it 3-0.

Sakura Miwa took over for Goto and got the final three outs.

GAME REPORT