Team Japan put on an impressive show defeating Australia, 8-1. The hosts hit three home runs and had three defensive double plays. Japan finished the round robin undefeated and will face Puerto Rico in the first game of the Championship Round. Australia, as the second place team in group B, will face USA.

WBSC | How To Watch

Japan wasted no time on offense. Eri Yamada singled, Saki Yamazaki walked and Yu Yamamoto cleaned up with with a three-run home run.

Yamada launched a home run in the third inning off of reliever Amelia Cudicio to extend Japan’s lead.

Australia got to Japan starter Yamato Fujita in the top of the fourth when Chelsea Forkin led off with a single and Jade Wall walked. Samantha Poole advanced runners with two outs, and Taylah Tsitsikronis walked to load the bases. Fujita hit Carmelle Sorensen to force the first run for Australia. Yukiko Ueno entered the game to relieve Fujita striking out Stacey McManus looking to end the threat.

In the bottom of the fourth, Cudicio walked Natsuko Sugama and Australia gave the call to Justine Smethurst. Fujita, now the designated player, welcomed her with a two-run moonshot well over the center field fence to extended Japan’s lead to 6-1.

Japan adds it a couple more runs in the bottom of the sixth on a double to right by Misato Kawano.

The Netherlands vs South Africa

The Netherlands beat South Africa, 11-1 placing fourth in group A of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship. They will face Canada in an elimination game of the Championship Round. South Africa will play against China in the placement round.

The Netherlands took the lead as they scored two runs in the first inning off starter Madelein Bester on a couple of hits by Britt Vonk and Virginie Anneveld. The Dutch capitalized on a defensive error and didn’t need to look back.

The Netherlands combined 12 hits and broke the score open against reliever Nushka De Beer.

Ginger De Weert picked up the win going four innings, allowing two hits and striking out five.

Great Britain vs Venezuela

Great Britain beat Venezuela, 5-2 securing the sixth seed in group A of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship.

Great Britain scored first when Nerissa Myers led off with a base hit off Venezuela starter Michelle Floyd, advanced on an error and eventually scored on a fielder's choice.

With two outs in the second inning, Great Britain starter Elizabeth Fleming walked Mirian Jimenez. Cristina Rodriguez reached on an error and Jimenez advanced to third. But Fleming escaped the threat as Chiya Louie got the force out at third on a slow roller by Jamee Juarez.

Venezuela went ahead in the top of the third. Maria Soto and Yurubi Alicart hit back to back singles. Denisse Fuenmayor drove in both runners with a triple to right. Georgina Corrick took over for Fleming and ended the inning.

In the bottom half of the frame, Floyd walked Myers, gave up a single to Kendyl Scott and hit Lauren Evans. A base hit by Kirsten Mack tied the game.

Shortstop Sydney Brown gave Great Britain the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when she singled, stole second and third and scored on a fielder's choice.
In the bottom of the fifth with one out, Mack singled and Louie walked. Venezuela elected to go to their bullpen calling for Alondra Perez and Great Britain got to her right away. Brown hit a short pop fly over home plate for a base hit. Pinch-hitter Amy Moore followed with an RBI single to make it 4-2.

Great Britain added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI double by Mack.

New Zealand vs Philippines

Jeniffer Feret was one strike away from perfection in New Zealand’s 2-0 victory over the Philippines in the last game of the WBSC Softball World Championship’s Group A. The right-hander retired 20 consecutive batters she faced until Philipines left fielder Arianne Vallestero broke up the no-hitter in the top of the seventh. 

New Zealand took the lead in the bottom of the third inning when Krysta Hoani walked with one out, Mereana Makea bunted her into scoring position. With two outs, Kingsley Avery hit a textbook single through the middle to score the first run of the game. 

In the bottom of the fifth Feret singled to lead off, and after two fielder’s choices, Makea and Avery hit back to back singles to plate the second run for New Zealand.

With this result, New Zealand finishes sixth in Group A and Philippines ends in seventh place.

Up Next: