Only six remain at WBSC Junior Women's World Championship; United States locks up spot in Gold Medal Game
OKLAHOMA CITY — After almost a week of action at the historic ASA Hall of Fame Complex, only six teams remain in play at the 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Junior Women’s World Championship (JWWC) in Oklahoma City, Okla. The United State is the only undefeated team left, as they secured their spot in the Gold Medal Game following a 14-2 (five inning) win over Japan. Japan will now face Puerto Rico, who advanced to the Bronze Medal Game following an 8-0 win over Canada. Australia and Chinese Taipei also advanced to Championship Saturday, where the two will face off in the finals of the Placement Division.  Â
Below is the schedule for Saturday, August 15:
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OGE Energy Field
Australia vs. Chinese Taipei - 1 p.m. CST - Placement Bracket Final
Japan vs. Puerto Rico - 4 p.m. CST - Bronze Medal Game
USA vs. TBD - 7 p.m. CST - Gold Medal Game
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Click here to view the results, box scores and the schedule for the 2015 WBSC JWWC.
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Highlights from Day Six
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Puerto Rico 8, Canada 0
Puerto Rico earned a spot at Championship Saturday at the WBSC JWWC, pounding 12 hits to collect an 8-0 win over Canada. Meghan King collected her second shutout win in two days, allowing just one hit with no runs and eight strikeouts.
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Puerto Rico combined for 12 hits throughout the contest, including four extra base hits, scoring three runs in the seventh inning to seal the win. Madison Hope took the loss for Canada, issuing four runs and two strikeouts through two and one-third innings of work.
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Australia 5, Italy 1
Allanah Alvarado drove in three runs, sparking Australia to a 5-1 victory to advance to the WBSC JWWC Placement Bracket finals. Australia was led by Amelia Cudicio, who issued just one hit and one run while striking out nine batters through six innings.
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Erika Piancastelli collected the sole hit for Italy, though it was a big one as she hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. Serena Boniardi took the loss for Italy, issuing four walks and five runs while striking out two runs through four and one-third innings.Â
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United States 14, Japan 2 (five innings)
The United States earned a spot in the Gold Medal Game with a 14-2 (five inning) win over Japan. The U.S. scored seven runs in the fifth, fueled by a grand slam by Alyssa Palomino, who racked up six RBI on two hits for the U.S.
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Kelly Barnhill earned the win for the U.S., issuing nine strikeouts, while allowing only one earned run over four innings. Japan's Mina Yane got a hit in each of her two at bats, singling in the first inning and hitting a solo home run in the fifth.
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Miki Nakamura took the loss for Japan, striking out two while allowing five runs in one and one-third innings pitched.Â
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Chinese Taipei 10, Brazil 3 (six innings)
Chinese Taipei earned a spot in the Placement Bracket finals with a 10-3 win over Brazil at the WBSC JWWC. The teams traded runs for most of the contest, leading to three lead changes in the game with Chinese Taipei taking the lead in the second inning to hold on for the win.Â
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Chia Fang Wu had a busy day at the plate, collecting three extra-base hits. She singled in the third and fourth innings and doubled in the second and sixth innings. Chinese Taipei's Ya Ting Tu was stellar from the circle, issuing just three hits with three strikeouts through four and two-third innings.Â
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Caroline Kamidai ended up on the wrong side of the pitching decision, charged with the loss. She lasted just one and two-third innings, allowing three runs.
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All games will be streamed live at no cost to fans through the official event website. There will be expanded coverage, beginning Thursday, August 13, featuring play-by-play and color commentary, in-game interviews, instant replays and unique camera shots. Visit 2015jwwc.com to watch games.
For updates, check or the tournament website 2015JWWC.com and keep up all week on the event’s official Facebook and Twitter. Fans can also visit www.wbsc.co for more information.
About ASA/USA SoftballÂ
Founded in 1933, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball is the National Governing Body Softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. One of the nation’s largest sports organizations, ASA/USA Softball sanctions competition in every state through a network of 74 local associations and has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 165,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than 2.5 million. ASA/USA is responsible for training, equipping and promoting the six USA Softball National Teams that compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won nine World Championship titles as well as claimed eight World Cup of Softball titles. For more information about ASA/USA Softball, please visit http://www.asausasoftball.com/.
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About the World Baseball Softball Confederation
Headquartered in the Olympic Capital city of Lausanne, Switzerland, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) was established in April 2013 and granted recognition as the sole competent authority in baseball and softball by the International Olympic Committee at the 125th IOC Session in September 2013. The WBSC represents a united baseball/softball sports movement that encompasses over 65 million athletes worldwide. The WBSC governs all international competitions involving any of the National Teams of its 141 National Federation members.  The WBSC oversees the Softball World Championships, The Premier 12, the World Baseball Classic, and the U12, U15, U18, U21 and Women's Baseball World Cups. For further information, please go to www.WBSC.co or follow the WBSC on Twitter at @WBSC.
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Codi Warren
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Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
Amateur Softball Association of America/USA Softball
Office 405.425.3431 | Cell 405. 420. 2817
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