Women's Softball World Cup Super Round-Day 1: Faraimo, Warren lead USA over Japan
World No. 1 USA beat No.3 Japan to lead off the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024 Super Round.
Megan Faraimo went the distance for the United States, allowing Japan only three hits and striking out eight.
"I felt good and well prepared, she said after the game. "Having this opportunity meant the world to me."
Faraimo's effort was impressive.
"I think we had a good mix. I watched videos [of Japan's hitters] until 2 am with my catcher, Dejah [Mulipola], and we knew when we had to go hard or throw changes. I couldn't have done this without my catcher."
The US pitcher said she doesn't feel uncomfortable with the heat.
"We don't find it difficult. We did a good job re-hydrating and recovering; we feel ready."
It looks likely that the US and Japan will face again in the World Championship FInal on Saturday.
"I think there's a lot of good teams here. Of course, Japan is a very good team," said Faraimo in a final note.
No. 5 Canada will face No.8 Netherlands will play at 17:30.
On Friday, July 18; Japan will play Canada at 11:00, while the US will face the Netherlands at 17:30. All times are local.
At the end of the Super Round, the top two finishers will play for the Women's Softball World Title. The third and fourth-place teams will play for the bronze medal.
The medal games are scheduled for Saturday, July 20, at 17:00 and 20:00 (local time).
The two Placement Round games are scheduled for 14:00 and 20:30 (local time).
Up Next XVII Women's Softball World Cup 2024 - Finals
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NED
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CAN
18/07/2024 17:30 (UTC 2)
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PUR
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ITA
18/07/2024 20:30 (UTC 2)
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JPN
19/07/2024 11:00 (UTC 2)
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PUR
19/07/2024 14:00 (UTC 2)
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USA
19/07/2024 17:30 (UTC 2)
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ITA
19/07/2024 20:30 (UTC 2)
All games are live on GameTime
USA-Japan 2-0
Megan Faraimo limited Japan to three hits and Jessie Warren put the United States ahead with their first hit of the game, a triple off the wall in right field.
Japan chose Miu Goto as the starting pitcher, while the United States handed the ball to Megan Faraimo.
Goto threw three perfect innings to get started. Faraimo retired the first eight batters, six on strikes, before allowing a two-out double to Yume Kiriishi in the bottom of the third.
She got out of the inning on a flyout.
The US reached base for the first time in the top of the fifth and took the lead. Goto hit Jocelyn Alo to lead off the inning. Jessie Warren drove the first pitch she saw off the wall in right field, scoring pinch runner Jesse Jefferson from first.
Dejah Mulipola singled to left field, extending the US lead to 2-0.
Yukiko Ueno relieved Goto in the top of the sixth.
Japan thought they had their first run in the bottom of the sixth. Ishikawa reached on a two-out double and scored on a base hit by Hotaro Tsukamoto. The US challenged the play, and the on-field review caught Ishikawa leading off too early from second base. She was called the third out.
Faraimo wouldn0t allow other scoring chances.
