OKLAHOMA CITY – The USA Softball Women’s National Team won their fifth straight World Cup of Softball title, beating Japan’s National team. With a 6-4 win, Pitcher Jordan Taylor (Valencia, Calif.) threw 5.1 innings, holding the Japanese to just two runs on three hits and one walk.
OK, so maybe they didn’t “avenge” the soccer world cup loss. I know the title is a little dramatic. But, at least the US can hang their softball caps, proudly, today!
Team USA took a little time to add its third run after an easy 2-0 lead. Japan got on the board in the top of the fifth inning as Yu Yamamoto walked, stole second and advanced to third on an error before coming home on a groundout by Rie Nagayoshi.
The rest of the game was a back and forth battle (much more exciting than the 25 run romping the men’s team displayed over the weekend). Key players include #4 hitter Kaitlin Cochran, Brittany Schutte, and lead-off hitter Michelle Moultrie.
Up next the team will travel to their respective schools and training bases before rejoining in October to represent the Red, White and Blue at the Pan American Games, Oct. 17-23, in Guadalajara, Mexico. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is looking for a seventh consecutive Pan American Games Gold Medal and 10th overall.
The seventh edition of the World Cup of Softball is tentatively set to return to the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City from June 27-July 2, 2012. An official announcement will be made in December.
