02/08/2024 3 Minute Read

Japan-USA: Who will be the next Women's Baseball World Champion?

The two managers, Veronica Alvarez and Risa Nakashima share a view:team effort is more important than the individual. Japan has better numbers both at bat and on the mound during the Opening Round. USA won the head-to-head, ending a 39-game Japanese winning streak dating back to 2012.

The WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals 2024 presented by CARNEXT is down to the last day. At 15:00 (local time) on Saturday, world No. 1 and six-time defending World Champions Japan will face No. 4 USA at the Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Canada.

USA is the only other team to win the Women's Baseball World Title and also the one to stop the Japanese World Cup winning streak, dating back to 2012, at 39 games.

"Everyone is feeling the pressure," Madonna Japan manager Risa Nakashima told the WBSC. "But also enjoying the pressure."

Nakashima believes the gap between Japan and the other Women's Baseball Programmes is not as wide as it used to be.

"Every country has got a lot better, not only the US can win. Also Venezuela, Canada, Chinese Taipei...all teams can win."

USA won their last World Cup in 2006.

"I don't think [my players] feel pressure," commented manager Veronica Alvarez. "We have just been building to turn things around for the last six years. Not only have we not won a World Cup for a long time, but we didn't medal at all last time. Hopefully, our work will show that we are the best in the world. We are aware we haven't won for a long time. We have coaches who were part of that team. It's very real, not only for the players but also for the staff."

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USA are No. 4 in the WBSC/KONAMI Women's Baseball World Ranking. They didn't enter the tournament as the favourites.

"I love when people say that we can't do something or that it is impossible," said Alvarez. "It makes me more intrigued to do it, so I get this group of women to showcase the work we have done."

Alvarez picked Jillian Albayati as her starter. The 20-year-old has only pitched 1.2 innings in the tournament. Alvarez used eight pitchers during the Opening Round, combining a 2.00 earned run average (ERA).

Japan will hand the ball to Miyu Shimizu, a 26-year-old right-hander who started the game against Canada, going 5.2 innings while allowing three earned runs. Nakashima used the reigning WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup MVP in the Opening Round game against USA. Japan has used seven pitchers, allowing a 1.03 ERA.

"We rely on the Japanese team culture," Nakashima said. "It's all about the team, team effort. think about the team before yourself. So it's time to count on younger players."

In Group B last year, 22-year-old Kana Onodera was Japan's ace and the best pitcher overall. She is still recovering from an injury and didn't make the team.

"She was a big part of last year's team. She messaged me every night, wishing us good luck and congratulating the team," added Nakashima. "She is the one who really wants to win, so I want to win for her, too."

Team work has also been the goal for Alvarez.

"I ask the players to be consistent; I also have to be consistent. My message has been consistent since the beginning. It's about the team, not the individual. We have reached the team aspect, the we over the me, since the beginning. We have a very passionate approach to displaying our ability to play this game."

Japan's lineup has been impressive throughout the tournament, combining a .404 batting average and 10 stolen bases on 14 attempts. Japan committed five defensive errors.

USA had a .328 batting average with 52 total bases and stole eight out of eight stolen-base attempts. Their defence committed six errors.

World No. 5 Mexico and No. 7 Canada will play for the bronze medal at 11:00 (local time).

Mexico chose 34-year-old veteran Marcela Aguilera to start. Aguilera has made two relief appearances so far and has gone 5.2 innings without allowing a run.

Canada will hand the ball to Raine Padgham, a 19-year-old right-hander who went 4.2 innings, allowing one earned run against Japan.