2018 Women's Baseball World Cup

The 2018 Women's Baseball World Cup was the 8th Women's Baseball World Cup. It was held from August 22 through August 31, 2018 in Davie, FL, the first time the event was held in the USA. Competing nations were  Japan,  United States,  Canada,  Australia,  Venezuela,  Chinese Taipei,  Cuba,  South Korea,  Hong Kong,  Netherlands,  Puerto Rico and  Dominican Republic. Japan won its 6th straight title, while Taiwan got Silver for their first Medal ever and Canada won their 4th Bronze and 6th total Medal.

See also 2018 Women's Baseball World Cup (Rosters)

Games

August 22

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Dominican Republic	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	1
Japan	0	1	1	0	6	0	-	8	8	0

Making their debut, the Dominicans only trail the defending champions 2-0 after 4, before Japan pulls it further out of reach. DH Yuka Ogata goes 3 for 4 with two runs and a RBI while Rina Taniyama (6 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 9 K) and Ayami Sato (1 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K) combine on the shutout. Marlenny Quero takes the loss for the newcomers, while 2B Yanela Gomez is the first Dominican baserunner (a leadoff walk) and C Noelia Moreno gets their first hit.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Chinese Taipei	0	0	6	0	3	0	0	9	11	3
Venezuela	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	9	0

In a rematch of the 2016 Bronze Medal Game, Taiwan gets revenge on Venezuela in a romp. Chiao-Yun Huang scatters 9 hits in six, allowing only one run, while RF Chia-Wen Shen is 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 runs and 2 RBI. C Osmari Garcia goes 2 for 3 with a double and RBI for Venezuela, while Giddelys Cumana is hit hard (6 R in 2 2/3 IP) in the loss after shutting out Taiwan two years prior.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Hong Kong	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3
Canada	1	2	1	0	0	4	6	0

In a five-inning lightning-shortened game, Anne-Sophie Lavallée flings a no-hitter, walking four and fanning four. Veterans 1B Kate Psota and 2B Nicole Luchanski each rap two hits for Canada, while Yee-Wan Lam does an okay job in a losing cause.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
South Korea	0	0	3	0	2	4	0	9	4	7
Netherlands	2	3	0	1	2	0	0	8	8	4

The closest game today is marked by errors and walks, with South Korea prevailing due to better relief pitching. 2B Jae-eun An draws 3 walks and scores 3 times, while Rak-yung Kim gets the victory. For the Netherlands, RF Winke Verdick scores 3 and 3B Famke Gildemacher drives in three, while Berber Jansen takes the loss.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Puerto Rico	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
United States	11	3	0	0	-	14	7	1

Stacy Piagno pitches a four-hit, no-walk gem, needing only 66 pitches, while whiffing six for the shutout. She gets plenty of support from CF Brittany Gomez (3 BB, 3 R), 1B Malaika Underwood (3 RBI), LF Allison Hamilton (3 RBI) and DH Megan Baltzell (3 RBI). The US gets 11 in the first, with Puerto Rican starter Maria Zayas retiring none of the six batters she faced.

August 23

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Cuba	0	3	1	0	0	0	0	4	7	3
Australia	2	1	2	6	1	0	-	12	10	1

Cuba and Australia start off with some high-scoring innings before Laura Neads comes in relief and shuts down Cuba (1 H, 0 R in 3 2/3 IP) while Australia keeps on scoring. CF Chelsea Forkin goes 3 for 3 with 3 runs and 3 RBI while 3B Natalie House also scores 3. Mayumis Solano takes the defeat, while 3B Jessica Herrera has two hits. The game had been suspended in the 4th the prior day due to weather conditions and was completed today.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Japan	3	3	10	3	4	23	20	0
Hong Kong	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3

Hong Kong is nearly no-hit again, as Nana Ishimura keeps them hitless and walkless for four (she hits one batter to avoid perfection) before RF Wing-Ki Mui greets reliever Namani Ono with a double in the bottom of the 5th. 11 players score for Japan, with RF Tomomi Nakada (3 R, 4 RBI), SS Harue Yoshi (3 H, 4 RBI), 3B Nozomi Abe (3 R), LF Miku Kitayama (3 R, 2 3B), C/1B Yuka Ogata (3 RBI) and DH Iori Miura (a homer shy of a cycle). Tsz-Wai Ho takes the loss.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Venezuela	3	0	1	6	0	0	0	10	10	1
South Korea	0	1	0	1	1	0	1	4	8	1

1B Ingrid Escobar scores three as Venezuela gets its first win; Milanyela Cortez gets the decision. SS Hee-ra Yeum goes 2 for 2 with a walk, double and two runs for the Koreans while Hye-min Jung takes the loss.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Australia	0	1	5	0	0	0	0	6	9	3
Dominican Republic	1	0	5	0	0	3	-	9	9	1

The Dominicans get their first win and it's not against a pushover, the 2014 Bronze Medalist Australians. 1B Johanna Bakli, RF Lidenny Camilo and LF Windeily Ramirez each drive in two, Ramirez also scoring twice. Angela Burgos gets the historic win, beating Maddison Tabrett. 3B/LF Taylah Welch drives in a pair in the loss.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Cuba	5	0	2	0	0	7	7	1
Canada	0	1	2	4	3	10	15	2

Canada rallied from a 7-1 deficit for a win in a game shortened by rain. 1B Kate Psota and 2B Nicole Luchanski again lead the way, with 3 hits apiece; Psota scores 4, Luchanski 3. Fellow veteran Amanda Asay gets the win. CF Arianna Garcia has 2 runs and a RBI for Cuba, while Isabel Gonzalez is the losing hurler.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
United States	7	2	1	7	0	18	11	2
Netherlands	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	5

DH Megan Baltzell (3 R, 4 RBI), 2B Amanda Gianelloni (5 RBI) and RF Kelsie Whitmore (3 R) pace the US offense while Brittany Schutte gets the win with three hitless innings. C Famke Gildemacher and 2B Lotte Tanke get the only Dutch hits, both off reliever Laura Collins. Starter Lisa Bergwerff doesn't make it through the first.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Puerto Rico	0	0	4	4	0	1	0	9	11	2
Chinese Taipei	4	1	0	0	1	0	0	6	8	3

SS Adrix Paradizo scores three times as Puerto Rico rebounds from their rough opening loss. Nylah Ramirez strikes out 5 of 8 batters in relief to save the game for starter Noelia De Jesus. 1B Yu-Chuan Tu drives in two, while Ching-Wen Hu takes the defeat.

August 24

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Cuba	1	3	5	0	3	12	12	0
Dominican Republic	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	6

The Dominicans finally look like a new team, as Dianelis Porro holds them to two hits (by #9 hitter and RF Jenifer Rodriguez). SS Claudia Jorge scores three runs. Juanita Mercedes takes the loss.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Hong Kong	0	0	2	0	0	2	5	8
Australia	2	0	9	13	-	24	18	2

The Emeralds rebound from a loss with a rout. 2B/1B Shae Lillywhite drives in four while 3B Natalie House and C Tahnee Lovering both have 3 runs and 3 RBI. Sinead Flanigan gets the win. RF/P Yik-Shan Hung drives in both runs for Hong Kong, while SS Tsz-Chin Lau goes 3 for 3 with a double and a steal. Ho-Ying Au takes the loss.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
South Korea	0	0	0	1	0	1	3	0
United States	5	3	0	3	-	11	10	1

The US knocks out starter Myung-hee Cho after 5 runs in the first. DH Megan Baltzell goes 2 for 2 with a walk, double, 2 runs and 2 RBI. DH Rak-yung Kim drives in SS Hee-ra Yeom with the only South Korean run. Kelsie Whitmore is the winning hurler.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Canada	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	8	2
Japan	1	0	0	0	1	0	-	2	2	1

The defending champions survive a scare despite being outhit, 8-2; it helps that they drew 11 walks. RF Tomomi Nakada singled off starter Liz Gilder in the bottom of the first, was balked over and advanced on a grounder by SS Ayaka Deguchi. There was then a rain delay and Canada brought in new pitcher Hannah Mortensen when the game resumed. CF Iori Miura and 1B Yuki Kawabata both drew walks, then C Chihiro Funakoshi laid down a squeeze bunt for a 1-0 lead.

Canada loaded the bases against two-time MVP Ayami Sato in the 2nd on a walk by LF Kelsey Lalor, a single by RF Jenna Flannigan and a two-out walk to 1B Anne-Sophie Lavallée but veteran SS Nikki Boyd flew out to right. Kawabata led off the bottom of the 5th with a walk from Madison Willan. Funakoshi again bunted, this time into an error by 3B Ashley Stephenson, scoring Kawabata to make it 2-0.

In the 6th, Canada again rallied, with singles by Lalor and Flannigan. With two outs, 16-year-old Emma March pinch-hit and singled to right to bring in Lalor. Sato walked Lavallée but recovered to strike out Boyd in the clutch. The North Americans had a shot in the 7th against reliever Akino Tanaka. With one out, 2B Daphnée Gelinas singled and Lalor had a two-out single, bringing in up Flannigan, who was 2-for-3 today. Tanaka got her to hit into a game-ending force for the save.

August 25

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
South Korea	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	3
Chinese Taipei	5	3	1	4	-	13	13	1

Taiwan routs in a match-up of Asian teams. Ching-Wen Hu and Yung-Chu Liang combine on a two-hitter, with 1B Ji-yoon Han and CF Nu-ri Shin getting the hits. Ji-hye Lee lasts even shorter than yesterday's South Korean starter Cho (2/3 IP). 2B Chia-Hui Yang scores 3 runs while both 1B Chiao-Yun Huang and RF Chia-Wen Shen drive in three.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Netherlands	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	7
Puerto Rico	1	7	4	4	-	16	12	2

1B Esther Maliepaard scores in the top of the first but after that, Puerto Rico is in control as Angelis Rivera and Quetsy Colon allow no more runs. RF/SS Luz Feliciano scores 4 runs, 1B Diamilette Quiles drives in 3 with a 3-for-3 day and 3B Lisandra Berrios-Lopez scores 3 and drives in 5. Maud Werkman takes the loss.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
United States	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	3	5	1
Venezuela	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	2

Kisbel Vizcaya does a pretty good job against the potent US offense, holding them to 5 hits in 7 innings, though DH Megan Baltzell hits the first homer of the Cup. SS Jade Gortarez hits a two-run single in the second for the winning hit. CF Leonela Reyes drives in LF Migreily Angulo with the lone Venezuelan tally. Marti Sementelli gets the win and Meggie Meidlinger the save.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Dominican Republic	1	2	7	5	4	19	15	0
Hong Kong	0	1	0	0	0	1	3	4

The Dominicans put up a rout, as Carla Minier goes the distance. SS Yocarla Guerrero drives in 4, CF Kimberly Almonte scores 4 and LF Windeily Ramirez is 3 for 3 with 3 runs and 3 RBI. 1B Woon-Yee Sinney Cheuk drives in DH Janice Chi-Kay Lau with the only run for Hong Kong. Ting Fung takes the loss.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Japan	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	4	8	1
Cuba	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	1	2

Cuba almost pulled off an upset of the top power in women's baseball. For four innings, Ami Sakihara and Maraisy Perez traded goose eggs. In the bottom of the 5th, Cuba got to Sakihara. LF Katherine Fals singled for their only hit of the day. SS Claudia Jorge bunted and 1B Yuka Ogata made an error on the play, putting runners on the corners, then Jorge stole second. Sakihara struck out the next two, but a daring double steal on the second whiff made it 1-0.

In the 6th, Japan finally got to Perez, who had a two-hitter through five. RF Tomomi Nakada singled to left, was bunted over and scored on a double by CF Iori Miura. 3B Yuki Kawabata singled off reliever Dianelis Porro and C Chihiro Fukanoshi singled in the winning run. Rina Taniyama walked two in the bottom of the 6th but Cuba failed to score. In the 7th, Japan got insurance. CF Yaya Kojima drew a one-out walk, Nakada singled and LF Miku Kitayama laid down a sacrifice bunt. Miura then hit a two-run single for a 3-RBI day as Japan avoided a scare.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Canada	1	2	0	0	3	2	1	9	16	3
Australia	1	0	1	4	0	0	0	6	7	1

Canada fell behind, 6-3, after four before rallying for 6 unanswered runs over the final three. Anne-Sophie Lavallée provides 2 2/3 shutout innings of relief for the win after starter Allison Schroder struggled. RF Jenna Flannigan (3 for 4, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI) led the offense. For Australia, Maddison Tabrett took the loss while 2B Shae Lillywhite scored twice and drove in a run.

August 26

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Netherlands	0	0	0	0	1	1	4	2
Venezuela	16	1	0	0	-	17	14	1

Venezuela scored 14 runs before their second out and bats through the order twice in the first inning. Linibeth Aguilarte goes the distance, whereas the Netherlands uses three pitchers in the first alone, with Maaike Haak taking the loss. Berber Jansen (2 R in 3 2/3 IP) is clearly the ace of the Dutch staff today. 3B Freyumar Suniaga and CF Migreily Angulo each rap three hits, while 2B Maigleth Torres drives in three. 1B Jessica Kroeskop goes 2 for 2 with a RBI to pace the Netherlands' hitters.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Puerto Rico	3	0	0	2	3	0	2	10	14	0
South Korea	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	4	7	3

Puerto Rico cruises to victory, led on offense by SS Luz Feliciano (3 R), C Janiliz Rivera (3 RBI) and 1B Diamilette Quiles (3 H) while Nylah Ramirez fires four shutout innings. Bo-mi Kim is the losing hurler.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Dominican Republic	1	0	0	0	0	1	6	2
Canada	2	2	12	2	-	18	17	0

The Dominicans' roller-coaster ride continued with a blowout loss. 3B Melissa Rodriguez drives in 2B Yanela Gomez in the first, but Emma Carr allows no more runs the rest of the way. LF Kelsey Lalor scores 3 and drives in 3 as well as hitting the Cup's second homer, off starter Marlenny Quero. 3B/1B Ashley Stephenson and SS Nikki Boyd each have 3 hits, Stephenson scoring 3 and driving in four.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Hong Kong	0	0	0	2	1	0	5	8	13	3
Cuba	0	0	0	4	1	0	0	5	10	1

Hong Kong rallies late to net their first win of the Cup after starter Mayumis Solano leaves for Cuba. CF Tan-Lee Dannii Cheung goes 3 for 4 with a double and 3 RBI while Yik-Shan Hung gets the complete game victory. RF Yamisleidy Perez drove in 2 for Cuba, while 1B Libia Duarte scored twice. Dianelis Porro was the losing pitcher.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Chinese Taipei	0	0	1	2	0	1	0	4	6	1
United States	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	3	5	1

Taiwan beat the USA for the top spot in Pool A at the end of the first round. Chiao-Yun Huang went the distance for Taiwan. Through two, she and Jade Gortarez were both pitching shutouts. In the 3rd, 3B Chia-Hui Yang, Taiwan's #9 hitter, started a rally with a single. She advanced on grounders by SS Yu-Ying Hsieh and 2B Yu-Hsuan Chen then CF Hsiao-Mei Chen singled her home. In the bottom of the third, the US took the lead. C Anna Kimbrell led off with a single and CF Brittany Gomez hit a one-out single. Gortarez bunted the runners over and 1B Malaika Underwood doubled them both home.

Taiwan retook the lead in the 4th. DH Ya-Bo Wen hit a ground-rule double to right. With one out, C Shih-Yun Lee singled, as did Yang to load the bases. Hsieh drew a walk to force in a run and Chen hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Lee and make it 3-2. The lead lasted one inning as the US tied it in the 5th. Huang hit Kimbrell and SS Amanda Gianelloni bunted, reaching when they tried to get Kimbrell unsuccessfully at second. Gomez hit into a force at second, then Gortarez walked. Underwood hit a sacrifice fly as the veteran got all the US RBI today.

In the 6th, Taiwan went ahead for good. Reliever Samantha Cobb hit 1B Yu-Chuan Tu and Lee singled again. Yang bunted the runners over and Hsieh hit a sacrifice fly to score Tu with the winning run. 3B Michelle Cobb had a one-out single in the bottom of the inning but pinch-runner Alexandra Hugo was caught stealing. In the 7th, Huang went 1-2-3 to finish her complete game upset win.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Australia	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	0
Japan	2	0	3	0	0	0	-	5	6	0

Japan knocks Australia into the consolation pool as Miyu Shimizu pitches a fine game, while CF Iori Miura scores twice for the victors. Brittany Hepburn walks 6 in 2 2/3 IP in taking the loss while Kim McMillan provides fine relief (3 2/3 IP). Australia's only run comes when DH Taylah Welch and LF/RF Morgan Doty both double in the second.

August 27

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Netherlands	0	0	0	1	0	1	8	3
Chinese Taipei	0	5	1	4	1	11	7	2

The Netherlands finishes round one winless as Ching-Wen Hu gets the win over Lisa Bergwerff. 1B Yu-Chuan Tu scores 3 runs for Taiwan. The only run for the Europeans comes when 1B Esther Maliepaard drives in RF Bianca Mooi.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Venezuela	1	0	0	2	5	0	1	9	4	1
Puerto Rico	0	0	4	0	0	0	2	6	13	0

The last spot in the second round goes to Venezuela, while Puerto Rico heads to the consolation pool. Venezuela has only 4 hits, but 9 steals and 8 walks. 2B Maigleth Torres scores two and drives in two without a hit, while Giddelys Cumana gets the win over Adrix Paradizo. DH/RF/3B Lisandra Berrios-Lopez drives in four Puerto Rican runs.

August 28

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	R	H	E
Dominican Republic	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	2
Chinese Taipei	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	6	1

Not only did the newcomers make the second round, but they gave the Pool A champs quite a game to open round two, forcing extra innings. 2B Yanela Gomez again got the Dominican offense with a chance in the first, off Yu-Ying Hsieh (who went the distance); she singled, stole and took third on a grounder before being stranded. In the bottom of the first, Lorena Medrano gave up her only run in a strong 5 2/3 IP. 2B Yu-Hsuan Chen walked and was bunted over. CF Hsiao-Mei Chen was hit by a pitch but Medrano picked Yu-Hsuan Chen off second. After a balk, DH Ya-Bo Wen walked and LF Chia-Wen Shen singled to load the bases, then 1B Yu-Chuan Tu singled in a run. Medrano settled down after that.

In the 2nd, LF Windeily Ramirez reached on an error by SS Chia-Hui Yang, and wound up scoring on a double by C Noelia Moreno. Taiwan had a shot in the 4th; Hsiao-Mei Chen singled and stole second; she tried to score on a hit by Shen but RF Lidenny Camilo threw her out at the plate. Taiwan loaded the bases in the 7th but Angela Burgos whiffed Tu. Under the WBSC Tie-Breaker Rule, teams started with two on in the 8th. After the Dominicans failed to score, RF Shih-Mei Shu bunted the runners over for Taiwan and Burgos walked 3B Ya-Ling Tsai intentionally to bring up #9 hitter and catcher Shih-Yun Lee. She coaxed a five-pitch walk to force in Shen with the winning run.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Cuba	1	0	0	1	0	1	4	7	9	0
South Korea	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	4	5	3

Cuba kicks off the consolation pool with a four-run final inning to come from behind for victory over South Korea. Mayumis Solano gets the win, while CF Arianna Garcia steals six and scores twice, RF Yamisleidy Perez scores twice and DH Marielbys Ferro drives in a pair. Rak-yung Kim took the defeat while 1B Ji-yoon Han drives in two and SS Hee-ra Yeom scores two.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Venezuela	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Canada	0	0	1	0	1	3	-	5	10	0

Facing the 2016 Bronze Medalists, Canada nearly gets their second no-hitter of the Cup. Amanda Asay allows only a fourth-inning single to C Osmari Garcia and walks just one, though she does plunk six, in a stellar outing. 1B Kate Psota drives in two, while 3B Ashley Stephenson scores twice.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
United States	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3
Japan	1	2	0	0	0	0	-	3	6	1

The only teams to have won the Cup in the past square off and Japan continues their recent dominance over the US with the day's second one-hitter. Defending MVP Ayami Sato is one out from a no-hitter when RF Megan Baltzell singles. Stacy Piagno takes the loss despite a fine outing, allowing only one earned run.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Netherlands	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2
Australia	3	6	3	6	-	18	15	1

Australia had surprisingly fallen into the consolation pool and has no problem in that pool with the winless Netherlands. Kaila Borgomastro and Morgan Doty combine on a two-hitter, both hits by 3B Famke Gildemacher. Anouk Vergunst and her bullpen are roughed up as numerous Aussies shine on offense, led by CF Chelsea Forkin (4 for 4, 3 2B, 3B, 4 R, 6 RBI) and 1B Shae Lillywhite (4 R).

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Hong Kong	2	0	1	1	2	0	0	6	6	5
Puerto Rico	1	6	4	0	0	1	0	12	12	3

SS Adrix Paradizo drives in 3 and 2B Ana Maldonado goes 3 for 4 while Noelia De Jesus has a complete game win. Ho-Ying Au takes the loss, while SS Tsz-Chin Lau scores 3 runs for Hong Kong and RF Wing-Ki Mui drives in three.

August 29

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Dominican Republic	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	5	2
Venezuela	0	5	5	0	0	2	12	11	1

Patricia Segovia has a complete game victory, with offensive support from DH Freymar Suniaga (4 RBI), 3B Yohelis Colina (3 RBI), CF Esquia Rengel (3 RBI) and 2B Maigleth Torres (3 H). Juanita Mercedes is the losing pitcher. DH Joely Leguizaman goes 2 for 3 with a run and a RBI for the Dominicans.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Netherlands	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	5	4
Cuba	1	1	2	0	5	1	-	10	8	0

Maraisy Perez throws a complete game as Cuba continues its strong play in the consolation pool, 2B Dayanna Batista scoring 3 runs. LF Winke Verdick drives in 2B Bianca Mooi with the only run for the Netherlands, while Maud Werkman gets the decision.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Chinese Taipei	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	0
Japan	0	0	2	0	0	0	-	2	5	0

Japan wins their 28th straight game in a Women's Baseball World Cup but it was a close one as they locked up a spot in the finals. Facing Miyu Shimizu in the second, RF Chia-Wen Shen singled and was bunted over. SS Yu-Ying Hsieh tripled her in but was caught stealing home on a hit-and-run with LF Chi Tseng. Ching-Wen Hu allowed her only runs in the third but it was enough to lose. She hit RF Tomomi Nakada and 2B Miwa Tanaka walked. Following a sacrifice and another out, C Chihiro Funakoshi hit a big two-run single. Asaka Tsuru pitched four shutout innings of relief for the win.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
United States	0	3	2	0	0	0	0	5	10	1
Canada	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	1

The US got a huge win, knocking off the defending Silver Medalists with the best power display of the Cup so far, with two home runs. In the bottom of the first, DH Nicole Luchanski singled against Marti Sementelli and 2B Daphnée Gélinas reached on an error by 2B Amanda Gianelloni. LF Kelsey Lalor hit into a force at second, then 1B Kate Psota grounded in a run. Sementelli would allow only two more hits and no more runs the rest of the way before Meggie Meidlinger closed it out in the 7th.

In the 2nd, the US went ahead for good. Facing Anne-Sophie Lavallée, 3B Kylee Lahners doubled. With one out, CF Brittany Gomez got hit and SS Jade Gortarez smacked a three-run homer to left. In the 3rd, RF Megan Baltzell hit her second dinger of the Cup; she finished the day with 3 hits. DH Michelle Cobb singled, C Anna Kimbrell hit a one-out double and LF Alexandra Hugo hit into an error by 3B Ashley Stephenson to force in a run. Allison Schroder relieved and pitched 4 2/3 shutout innings of relief but Canada got no closer.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Hong Kong	3	0	0	2	0	0	5	3	2
South Korea	2	4	4	2	0	3	15	8	4

South Korea roughed up Ting Fung and the bullpen in a mercy rule win for Rak-yung Kim. SS Hee-ra Yeom had 3 runs and 3 RBI, 2B Jae-eun An 3 runs, DH Bit-na Lee 4 RBI, C Dae-lee Kwak 4 R, 3B So-yeon Kim 3 R and CF Jeong-eun Shin 3 RBI for a balanced offense.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Australia	3	0	0	1	4	2	0	10	12	1
Puerto Rico	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	3	9	4

Australia continued to cruise through the consolation pool, never trailing. DH/P Taylah Welch had 4 hits, including a home run while Kim McMillan got the victory over Angelis Rivera. 3B/1B Lisandra Berrios-Lopez homered and 2B Eva Torres got 3 hits.

August 30

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Venezuela	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
Japan	3	5	0	2	-	10	11	0

Japan was already handed to the Gold Medal Game, but made it 29 wins in a row in the history of the Cup in a game anyways. Nana Ishimura got the win and C Ririka Tabata drove in four. Kisbel Vizcaya took the loss.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Canada	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	9	4
Chinese Taipei	3	0	3	0	0	0	-	6	10	1

Canada seemed locked in for a return trip to the Gold Medal Game after scoring 4 in the first off Chiao-Yun Huang, but Taiwan's ace settled down and pitched shutout ball over the next six. Liz Gilder allowed three in the bottom of the first while retiring none, then Taiwan scored three more (two unearned) off Hannah Mortensen in the third to go ahead for good. Claire Eccles pitched shutout ball from the 4th through the 6th but the damage had been done. Taiwan utilized a balance offense in the win, while DH Amanda Asay drove in two for Canada. Taiwan clinched a medal in the event, something they had never done before.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Dominican Republic	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	2
United States	6	0	1	0	1	0	-	8	7	1

The US already was headed to the Bronze Medal Game, following Taiwan's win earlier today, so they rotated players in and out of the game to keep them fresh for tomorrow. C Anna Kimbrell drove in a pair while Kelsie Whitmore got the win. Marlenny Quero was knocked out after 2/3 of an inning.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Netherlands	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	6
Hong Kong	1	2	1	0	0	0	-	4	4	1

The Netherlands has one of their closest games this year but still finishes winless. Yik-Shan Hung and Loes Asmus both go the distance, each allowing only one earned run, but errors plague the Europeans. LF Wing-Hin Ng has half of Hong Kong's four hits, while 1B Esther Maliepaard has 2 hits and 3 steals for the Netherlands.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Cuba	0	1	0	0	3	0	2	6	6	0
Puerto Rico	0	4	0	0	0	0	1	5	8	3

In a close match of Caribbean teams, Cuba rallies and wins to tie Puerto Rico for 8th place. Mayumis Solano allows only one run in 5 1/3 innings of relief for the win, while C Yordanka Rodriguez is 2 for 2 with a walk, run and RBI. 1B Janiliz Rivera goes 2 for 2 with two RBI for Puerto Rico while Nylah Ramirez is handed the loss.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
South Korea	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	3	2
Australia	0	3	3	0	0	1	-	7	9	2

Australia makes the most out of being in the consolation pool, sweeping it to finish 7th overall. Sinead Flanigan gets the win, with a balanced offense behind her. 1B Abbey McLellan and CF Morgan Doty each score twice, while LF Elodie O'Sullivan and RF Leslie Anglin each drive in two. C Dae-lee Kwak drives in DH Bit-na Lee with South Korea's only run, while Hye-li Kim takes the loss.

August 31

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
Canada	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	5	8	9	3
United States	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	5	8	0

In the Bronze Medal Game, Canada beat the hosts, needing three extra innings to tie the US at 6 total medals in the 8 Women's World Cups. After the game, André Lachance announced his retirement after guiding Canada since the first Women's World Cup in 2004.

The US struck first, against Amanda Asay. SS Jade Gortarez led off with a walk. With one out, 1B Malaika Underwood grounded back the mound and Asay tried for the out at second but her throw was off the mark, putting runners on the corners. Following a wild pitch, RF Megan Baltzell was intentionally walked to load the bags. DH Michelle Cobb singled in one run. With two outs, Asay plunked C Anna Kimbrell and the US led, 2-0. Asay would last into the 6th, though, not giving up another run and exiting with the lead.

In the 5th, they finally got to US starter Brittany Schutte. C Kaitlyn Ross walked and with one out, DH Nicole Luchanski got hit. 2B Daphnée Gélinas smashed a three-run homer to right. Canada still led 3-2 with 16-year-old reliever Allison Schroder on the hill. Gortarez again got things going, leading off with a single. She advanced on a sacrifice then 37-year-old Underwood showed the teenaged pitcher to respect her elders with a game-tying double. Baltzell was intentionally walked again, and Schroder got Cobb on a fly and Kimbrell on a grounder to force extra innings.

Even with the WBSC tie-breaker rule wherein each teams starts with two runners aboard, the pitchers were able to hold off threat in the 8th and 9th as Schroder and Stacy Piagno both pitched shutout ball. In the 10th, Canada started with Ross on second and Madison Willan on first. Luchanski bunted and the US tried for the runner on third but failed. Gélinas again came up big, with a RBI single. After Piagno whiffed CF Emma Carr, Anne-Sophie Lavallée pinch-hit and got plunked to make it 5-3. RF Jenna Flannigan flew out then LF Mia Valcke singled in Luchanski for a 3-run lead and 3B Ashley Stephenson singled in two more for a 8-3 edge.

The US struck back in the bottom of the 10th against Schroder. With one out, Kimbrell walked to load the bases and LF Allison Hamilton singled in Michelle Cobb and Baltzell but CF Samantha Cobb hit into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Chinese Taipei	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	3
Japan	2	1	0	3	0	0	-	6	8	0

Japan won their sixth straight title, knocking off their 4th different opponent in the finals (Canada twice, Australia, the USA twice and now Taiwan). Working on two days' rest, two-time defending MVP Ayami Sato pitched five shutout innings (6 H, 6 K) and would win MVP once again. Akino Tanaka retired all six batters she faced, half by strikeout, to save it. Against Ching-Wen Hu, Japan got all they needed in the bottom of the first. RF Tomomi Nakada drew a one-out walk, stole second, took third on a grounder and scored on a hit by 1B Yuki Kawabata. C Chihiro Funakoshi and 3B Nozomi Abe followed with singles for a 2-0 lead. In the 2nd, SS Ayaka Deguchi had a two-out single, Nakada walked and CF Iori Miura singled in Deguchi. In the 4th, Japan got their last runs. After Chiao-Yun Huang relieved, 2B Miwa Tanaka hit into an error by 3B Chia-Hui Yang. Deguchi singled and Nakada bunted into an error by Huang to make it 4-0. Miura hit a sacrifice fly, then Kawabata singled in Nakada. LF Chi Tseng was a bright spot for Taiwan, going 2-for-3. They became the 6th different country to have won a medal in a Women's Baseball World Cup.

Final Standings

1.  Japan
2.  Chinese Taipei
3.  Canada
4.  United States
5.  Venezuela
6.  Dominican Republic
7.  Australia
8.  Cuba and  Puerto Rico

10.  Hong Kong and  South Korea

12.  Netherlands

Leaders and Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Ayami Sato ( Japan)
• Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Nozomi Abe ( Japan)

Leaders (prior to final day)

• Leading Hitter: .571, 12 H, 21 AB; Janiliz Rivera ( Puerto Rico)
• Pitcher with best ERA: 0.00, 12 IP, 0 ER; Yu-Ying Hsieh ( Chinese Taipei)
• Pitcher with best won-loss average: 1.000, 3 W, 0 L; Chia-Yun Huang ( Chinese Taipei)
• Most Runs Batted In: 11; Megan Baltzell ( United States)
• Most Home Runs: 2; Megan Baltzell ( United States)
• Most Stolen Bases: 9; Ari Garcia ( Cuba)
• Most Runs Scored: 12; Luz Feliciano ( Puerto Rico)

All-World Team

Position	Player	Nation
Starting Pitcher	Chiao-Yun Huang	Chinese Taipei
Relief Pitcher	Meggie Meidlinger	United States
Catcher	Shih-Yun Lee	Chinese Taipei
First Basewoman	Kate Psota	Canada
Second Basewoman	Maigleth Torres	Venezuela
Third Basewoman	Chia-Hui Yang	Chinese Taipei
Shortstop	Adrix Paradizo	Puerto Rico
Outfielders	Kelsey Lalor	Canada
	Iori Miura	Japan
	Chia-Wen Shen	Chinese Taipei
Designated Hitter	Megan Baltzell	United States

Further Reading

• Ernest Arico: "Team Canada follows lead of 2 World Cup vets: Ashley Stephenson, Kate Psota look to bring another medal home", mlb.com, August 22, 2018. [1]
• Ernest Arico: "3 USA players to know at Women's World Cup: Collins, Lansdell, Underwood bring experience and youth", mlb.com, August 24, 2018. [2]
• Gary Belleville: "August 31, 2018: Daphnée Gélinas leads Canada to World Cup bronze in thrilling win over USA," SABR Baseball Games Project.
• Melissa Couto: "Team Canada chasing elusive gold medal at Women's Baseball World Cup", The Globe and Mail, August 22, 2018, p. B12. [3]
• Thomas Harrigan: "Women's World Cup set to begin in Florida: In US for 1st time, 12-team tourney opens Wednesday; Japan seeks 6th straight title", mlb.com, August 21, 2018. [4]