Japan sweep USA Elite Team in Women's Softball All-Star Series
Japan won 1-0, 9-5 and 8-1. Among the US players, only Jocelyn Alo (pictured above) and Kelly Maxwell will travel to Italy for the Women's Softball World Cup Finals.
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<p>World No. 3 Japan warmed up for the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-womens-softball-world-cup-finals/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Women's Softball World Cup Finals (opens in a new tab)">Women's Softball World Cup Finals</a>, sweeping a three-game series against the United States Elite Team.</p>
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<p>The opening game at the Vantelin Dome in Nagoya resulted in a pitching duel that Japan won, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="1-0 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.usasoftball.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/120/2024/07/2024USWomensEliteTeam_vs_Japan_Jul_4_2024.pdf" target="_blank">1-0</a>, scoring the only run against Kelly Maxwell with one out in the bottom of the seventh. First base Eri Shimoyama's RBI single scored left fielder Ayane Nakagawa. It was one of two Japanese hits against Maxwell, who struck out 11. Four Japanese pitchers, Miu Goto, Chiyo Yamashita, Sakura Miwa and Ayane Shikano, combined the shutout, allowing five hits and two walks.</p>
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<p>The second game at Mt. Fuji Stadium in Fujinomiya was a slugfest. Japan outhit the US Elite Team, 14-10, on their way to a <a href="https://www.usasoftball.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/120/2024/07/Japan_vs_2024USWomensEliteTeam_Jul_6_2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="9-5 (opens in a new tab)">9-5</a> win. Second base Hitomi Kawabata and left fielder Hotaro Tsukamoto enjoyed a three-hit game.</p>
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<p>Yokohama hosted the rubber match. Four Japanese pitchers, Goto, Mio Sakamoto, Sakura Miwa and Yukiko Ueno limited the US to three hits. Japan's lineup produced 12 on their way to an <a href="https://www.usasoftball.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/120/2024/07/2024USWomensEliteTeam_vs_Japan_Jul_8_2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="8-1 (opens in a new tab)">8-1 </a>win in six innings.</p>
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<p>At the end of the series, USA Softball announced that utility Jocelyn Alo and left-handed pitcher Kelly Maxwell would be late additions to the Women's Softball World Cup roster.</p>
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