2023-2024 Women's Baseball World Cup

The 2023 Women's Baseball World Cup was the first Women's Baseball World Cup in five years, after intervals of only two years in the past. The reason was COVID-19 causing cancellation of the 2020 Cup. The event used a different format than in the past, with two pools of six teams each facing off in August and September of 2023; the top three teams from each pool then advanced to the finals, which took place in 2024.

Competing were the champion of the 2022 European Women's Championship ( France), the top four teams from the 2022 Women's Baseball Americas World Cup Qualifier ( Puerto Rico,  Mexico,  Venezuela and  Cuba), the top four teams from the 2023 Women's Baseball Asian Cup ( Japan,  Chinese Taipei,  South Korea and  Hong Kong), a team from Oceania ( Australia) and two wild cards ( United States and  Canada). See 2023 Women's Baseball World Cup (Rosters) for 2023 roster information and 2024 Women's Baseball World Cup (Rosters) for 2024 roster information.

Pool A

In Thunder Bay, ON

Games

August 8

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

After losing the Bronze in the 2023 Women's Baseball Asian Cup to South Korea, Hong Kong got some revenge today, using a late rally to pull ahead. CF Wing-Hin Ng had 3 hits, 4 steals and 3 RBI while Yik-Shan Hung pitched three hitless innings to close it out and get the win over Ji-sook Lee. CF Nu-ri Shin drove in three for South Korea, but SS Ju-a Park made three errors.

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

Elise Berger blanked the Emeralds for the first five innings while Gen Beacom battled control issues, allowing no hits but four walks and two runs in 2 2/3 IP. Meggie Meidlinger saved it for Berger, while DH Remi Schaber drove in two without a hit. 1B Abbey McLellan drove in Australia's first run and scored their second.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Mexico	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	4	3
Canada	1	0	1	6	0	1	x	9	10	2

The pool hosts start off strong against the newcomers. Raine Padgham allows one hit in four for the win as Canada's hurlers fan eight to beat Rosa Del Castillo. SS Madison Willan drives in four. 3B Edith De Leija drives in SS Samaria Benitez with the only run for Mexico.

August 9

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
United States	5	1	1	4	3	14	13	0
South Korea	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	2

Trying to give a rebound for US women's national teams after the failure of the US women's soccer team in their World Cup this month, the US baseball ladies roll. Jamie Baum, Cody Eckert and Olivia Pichardo combine on a mercy rule three-hitter while 3B Ashton Lansdell triples and homers and SS Valerie Perez drives in three. Sayuri Ono takes the loss.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	R	H	E
Mexico	0	0	5	1	2	0	0	8	16	9	2
Australia	2	0	3	0	0	0	3	0	8	8	5

Mexico got its first win, over former Bronze Medalist Australia. The Aussies tie it in the bottom of the 7th to force extra innings but Mexico has a huge 8th for the win. CF Diana Ibarra scores four times and hits a three-run homer while Maricela Aguillera gets the win. Morgan Doty took the loss for the islanders, whose leadoff hitter Ticara Geldenhuis reaches base three times and produces three runs.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Canada	2	5	3	6	6	22	16	1
Hong Kong	0	0	3	0	0	3	2	3

The hosts join the USA at 2-0 as SS Alexane Fournier raps five hits, 3B Zoe Hicks goes 3 for 3 with two walks, three runs and two RBI and Julia Konigshofer and Amy Johnson combine on a two-hitter. CF Wing-Hin Ng and C Chee-Ar Lui have the Hong Kong hits, the decision going to Debby Su-Yee Mak.

August 10

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
South Korea	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	3	5	6
Australia	2	3	0	1	2	2	X	10	9	2

After dropping their first two games, the Emeralds had lost some of their shine, but they were glowing today. Claire O'Sullivan put on a strong start (5 IP, 3 H, 1 UER, 0 BB, 6 K) to beat Song-hee Choi. LF Ticara Geldenhuis had another fine day, with three runs and a dinger.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Hong Kong	0	6	0	0	0	6	5	3
Mexico	3	6	0	3	4	16	9	0

Mexico took control of their destiny by cruising into second. 2B Denise Perez goes 4-for-4, drives in 8 and falls a triple shy of a cycle and Dafne Mejia retires all ten batters she faces for the win. CF Wing-Hin Ng had a run and two RBI, while Hei-Ting Lau takes the defeat.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
United States	1	2	0	10	10	23	15	1
Canada	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	3

The two teams had been close opponents in the past, but not today as the US absolutely obliterated Canada, dominating on both ends of the ball. 3B Ashton Lansdell drove in four, 2B Alex Hugo scored four, RF Olivia Pichardo hit a grand slam and C Denae Benites was a homer shy of a cycle in her three at-bats. Jillian Albayati pitches a three-hitter. Marylena Florio was the losing hurler, but her bullpen did far worse (17 R, 15 ER in 1 2/3 IP). 2B Ela Day-Bedard had two of Canada's three hits.

August 11

• All games postponed due to rain

August 12

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Hong Kong	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
United States	20	2	0	7	x	29	15	0

The US ladies set their franchise record for runs in a game (they had scored 27 against India in 2016) while also getting a no-hitter. 3B Ashton Lansdell scored five and 12 other players scored as well. 2B Alex Hugo drove in seven; five other Americans drove in three. Kelsie Whitmore, Remi Schaber and Naomi Ryan combined on the no-no, issuing one walk and one hit batsman to avoid a perfect game. Wai-Yin Michelle Lam allows 19 runs (9 earned) in 2/3 of an inning.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
South Korea	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	5
Mexico	3	1	4	0	0	2	10	11	2

The newcomers join their northern neighbor in the second round. Rosa Del Castillo spins a three-hitter and 3B Edith De Leija raps three hits. Min-sung Park takes the loss.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Canada	0	0	4	0	0	3	4	11	10	1
Australia	0	0	2	0	5	0	0	7	9	3

The hosts make it 3-for-3 on North American teams moving to the second round but need a late comeback to do it. CF Sena Catterall scores three times and SS Alexane Fournier drives five to make a winner of Raine Padgham. Morgan Doty suffers the loss. The Aussie attack is led by DH/P Leah Cornish (2 for 3, BB, R, 2 RBI).

August 13

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

The US finishes group pool unbeaten while Mexico can find satisfaction in moving into the final grouping in their first Women's World Cup and staying close to a US team that had obliterated Canada and Hong Kong the last two days. Elise Berger, Cody Eckert, Olivia Pichardo and Meggie Meidlinger combine on a one-hitter, with DH Rosa Del Castillo getting the lone Mexican hit. Adriana Palma takes the loss. Both US runs come when RF Naomi Ryan drives in 3B Alex Hugo.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Australia	0	0	0	0	3	0	6	9	10	3
Hong Kong	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	3	6

It had been a disappointing tourney for the former Bronze Medalists. After coming the closest of anyone to beating the US, they were upset by newcomer Mexico and finished 4th in the pool to miss out on the final six. At least they went out on a bright note, as 1B Claire O'Sullivan drove in three and Maddison Tabrett got the win with 2 2/3 shutout innings of relief, defeating Yin-Sum Kwong. DH/C Chee-Ar Lui had two of Hong Kong's three hits.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
South Korea	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Canada	0	2	2	5	1	10	11	1

Canada finished second in group play with a fine win. Sarah Pengelly whiffs ten in a one-hitter, 2B Julia Konigshofer drives in four and homers and 1B Emma-Rose Payette has three hits and three RBI. RF Soo-ji Ahn has the lone Korean hit as they finish last in the group, with Bo-mi Kim taking the loss.

Pool B

In Miyoshi, Hiroshima

Games

September 13

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Cuba	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	2
Chinese Taipei	2	0	1	4	0	2	x	9	9	2

Cuba gets to Chiao-Yun Huang in the first when LF Yusvani Bonne drives in 3B Jessica Herrera but they fail to tack on any more runs and Taiwan gets all the runs they need in the bottom of the inning off Dianelis Porro. CF Hsiao-Mei Chen scores three runs.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
France	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	1
Venezuela	0	1	3	0	6	1	x	11	10	3

France's WBWC debut starts off well as Angelique Andre scores a first-inning run off Venezuela's Frandelis Garcia (on a walk and two errors) and Camille Foucher blanks the former Bronze Medalists in that frame, but Venezuela comes back for an easy win as expected, 11-1. CF Marbel Diaz scores three and C Mariana Valdez drives in four.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Puerto Rico	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	3	1
Japan	0	0	0	4	0	0	x	4	6	0

Kana Onodera whiffs 12 but Janiliz Rivera outduels her over the first half of the game. In the top of the third, Puerto Rico strikes against the hosts and defending champs when LF Alanis Rodriguez and RF Luz Feliciano walk then SS Adrix Paradizo singles in a run. A wild pitch made it 2-0 but Onodera shut down Puerto Rico after that. The home team comes back against Rivera in the fourth. 1B Yuki Kawabata and RF Miwa Naraoka single, DH Akari Hoshikawa lays down a bunt hit and C Tamaki Muramatsu singles in two to tie it. SS Kae Iwami bunted in the winning run and 3B Ayaka Deguchi singled home Muramatsu for some insurance.

September 14

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Chinese Taipei	1	0	3	2	0	2	2	10	11	0
Venezuela	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	6	1

Taiwan cruises as Chiao-Chi Lin allows two runs in six to beat Judelys Garcia. SS Yu-Ying Hsieh (2 R, 3 RBI) leads a potent offense while C Mariana Valdez is the only Venezuelan player with multiple hits.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Cuba	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
Puerto Rico	5	0	3	3	X	11	7	0

Puerto Rico cruises to a mercy rule win as Angelis Rivera flings a three-hitter and 1B Lisandra Berrios-Lopez drives in four. Veteran Yanet Cruz takes the decision for Cuba.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Japan	6	4	3	6	1	20	15	0
France	0	0	1	0	0	1	5	2

As expected, the hosts steamroll past the newcomers. 1B/RF Erika Nakae scores four runs despite not starting and C Nanako Hanabusa drives in five with three hits. Mizuki Bando gets the win and Emilie Gomes the loss. DH Ambre Brouard goes 2-for-2.

September 15

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Puerto Rico	1	3	0	1	1	0	0	6	11	2
Chinese Taipei	6	0	1	3	2	0	X	12	12	0

Taiwan remains unbeaten, with three runs from RF Chiao-Yun Huang and four RBI from 1B Chia-Hui Yang. Yu-Pei Chen gets the win despite ten hits and six runs in 4 1/3 IP; Hsiao-Mei Chen pitches 2 2/3 shutout for the save. RF Luz Feliciano has three hits and three RBI for Puerto Rico, with the decision going to Nylah Ramirez.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
France	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	4	1
Cuba	1	2	0	1	2	5	11	11	0

In a matchup of winless teams, Cuba cruises past France. Yoannet Dominguez goes the distance, 2B Dayanna Batista scores three times and C Yordanka Rodriguez goes 4-for-4. Cassandra Vigneau is the losing hurler. France ties it briefly in the second when RF Youna Pean grounds in 3B Marjorie Brunel.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Venezuela	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	4	4	0
Japan	0	1	1	0	2	0	1	5	11	1

The hosts survive a scare after Venezuela scores four times off Akino Tanaka in the third. With the score 4-4 entering the 6th, Japan turns to three-time Cup MVP Ayami Sato, who retires all six batters she faces. In the bottom of the 7th, CF Iori Miura singles off Abril Amaro, who pitched a complete game. 1B Yuki Kawabata, 3-for-3 to that point, flew out. After Miura stole, RF Miwa Naraoka was intentionally walked. DH Akari Hoshikawa singled to load the bases. 2B Yaya Kojima grounded to second and the throw home got Miura. C Nanako Hanabusa then hit a clutch single to right-center to drive in Naraoka with the game-winner.

September 16

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Puerto Rico	0	0	3	2	0	1	7	13	18	0
France	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	3	8	1

1B Lisandra Berrios-Lopez drives in four once again and Danna Gonzalez beats Camille Foucher. SS Léna Sellam scores all three French runs.

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

In a rematch of the last Women's World Cup title game, Japan again prevails. Kana Onodera throws a four-hitter, outdueling Hsiao-Chien Wang. CF Iori Miura reaches all three times and scores a run.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	R	H	E
Cuba	0	0	4	0	0	1	2	0	7	9	0
Venezuela	2	2	1	0	0	2	0	1	8	12	3

Cuba nearly upset Venezuela but the South Americans held on. Both hurlers went the distance, Mariana Natera giving up only one earned run among her seven runs allowed and Yanet Cruz throwing 135 pitches in a valiant effort. Cuba tied it in the top of the 7th on a two-run single by 1B Libia Duarte, who finished with three hits and four RBI. They bunted over the starting runners in the 8th but failed to capitalize. In the bottom of the 8th, PH Laureanne Vasquez bunted her way aboard to load the bags and 2B Srishna Arciniega bunted in SS Ruclaireth Tovar with the game-winner. RF Abril Marin had three hits for the victors.

September 17

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
France	1	1	3	0	0	0	5	6	2
Chinese Taipei	1	0	7	5	0	2	15	16	1

France jumped to a surprising 5-1 lead after 2 1/2 but could not hold on against the more experienced Taiwanese team. Yu-Chuan Tu got the win and Cassandra Vigneau the loss. C Chi Lin had three hits and three runs for Taiwan, while C/RF Youna Pean had two RBI as France goes home winless in their WBWC debut.

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

With the last spot in the final-six round of 2024 at stake, Frandelis Garcia throws a five-hit shutout to beat Janiliz Rivera. Garcia drives in a pair to help her own cause and 2B Srishna Arciniega scores two.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Japan	3	1	4	1	0	1	10	11	0
Cuba	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1

Akino Tanaka, Arisa Hotta, Mika Tai and Ayami Sato combine on a one-hitter as Japan goes 5-0 in group play; 1B Yuki Kawabata drives in four runs. CF Dayana Ramirez has the lone Cuban hit while Yoannet Dominguez gets the decision.

Finals

In Thunder Bay, ON

Games

July 28

•  United States 7,  Venezuela 0. Venezuela forfeited due to travel logistics issues leaving them unable to field a team today, giving the US a win to start the final round.

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

In a rematch of Pool B's top two teams, Japan again triumphs. 1B Yuki Kawabata reaches three times and Wakana Mori gets the win over Wen-Ching Hsieh. DH Chiao-Yun Huang produces three of Taiwan's four runs.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Canada	5	2	0	0	0	0	0	7	5	2
Mexico	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	2

3B Zoe Hicks hits a three-run double in the first to back the pitching of Alexane Fournier. Rosa del Castillo is roughed up for 7 runs in 2 innings then Maricela Aguillera and Selene Huerta provide five innings of shutout relief.

July 29

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

Venezuela avenges their 2023 loss at Taiwan's hands. For four innings, Angelica Ledezma and Ching Huang duel with shutout ball. In the 5th, Venezuela gets to Huang as DH Mariana Valdez singles, steals and advances on a wild pitch. With one out, C Yakary Molina is intentionally walked. 1B Migreily Angulo bunted an error by Huang to score Valdez. Yu-Chuan Tu relieved but 3B Ruclaireth Tovar singled in Molina and an error on the play (one of Taiwan's five today) put the runners in scoring position. CF Mariana Natera hit a sacrifice fly for the game's final run. Frandelis Garcia closed it out for the save.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Mexico	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	2	2
United States	1	0	3	3	0	4	11	13	3

The US routs Mexico with a mercy rule win. DH Remi Schaber goes 3-for-3 with 3 runs and 3 RBI, while Jamie Baum saves Kelsie Whitmore's victory, as they team up on a two-hitter. Flor Valerio is the losing pitcher. Mexico's run comes when C Marcela Diaz drives in 2B Daniela Leal.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	R	H	E
Japan	1	0	0	1	0	1	0	4	7	10	0
Canada	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	3	6	5	5

Japan survived a scare. They started well against Raine Padgham as CF Iori Miura walked and stole then advanced on singles by LF Miu Shiraishi and DH Yuki Kawabata. In the 4th, RF Miwa Naraoka reached on an error by 3B Zoe Hicks, one of five errors today for Canada, which made the difference. After a sacrifice bunt, 1B Yuzuha Nakamura singled in Naraoka for a 2-0 cushion. SS Kae Iwami hit a fly into the gap in right-center but CF Sena Catterall made a diving catch to keep the game at two. In the 6th, Liz Gilder walked 3B Akari Hoshikawa. On a pick-off attempt, 1B Alizée Gélinas made an error, sending Hoshikawa to second. She took third on a grounder and came home on a bunt by Iwami. Japan loaded the bases but Sophy Gagné got a double-play ball to end that threat.

In the bottom of the 6th, the Canadians rallied. LF Ela Day-Bédard singled off Miyu Shimizu and Catterall got plunked. With one out, SS Mia Valcke hit into a force at second, putting runners on the corners. DH Andréanne Leblanc coaxed a walk to load them up. 2B Madison Willan walked as well to force in Canada's first run of the day. Hicks then had a two-run single for the hosts, evening the contest at three. After Shimizu hit C Lucie Anctil, Mika Tai relieved and got out of the inning by retiring RF Tess Sawkins.

After each team had just a single in the 7th, the game moved on to extra innings. Two errors on a pickoff attempt let starting runner Naraoka score to make it 4-3. Following a sacrifice, 2B Haruna Tadano singled in two more for a 6-3 lead. After a force and Canada's third error of the inning, Kawabata hit into a run-scoring fielder's choice for a four-run cushion. Japan would need all of it. Backup DH Alexane Fournier doubled off Tai to open the bottom of the inning, scoring starting runner Gélinas then Willan grounded in Valcke. Hicks's grouneder brought home Fournier and it was 7-6. Tai struck out Anctil on three pitches to end the exciting contest.

July 30

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Chinese Taipei	0	1	0	1	0	0	1	3	12	0
Mexico	1	0	0	0	4	4	X	9	10	1

Mexico gets its first win of the finals while the defending Silver Medalists fall to 0-3 in the finals. Chiao-Yun Huang outduels Daniela Leal early, but Mexico rallies off Huang in the 5th and 6th. LF Marlen Lagunes hits a two-run double in the 5th and a two-run homer in the 6th to help Narda Andrade get the win. #9 hitter/1B Chi-Fen Chen goes 3-for-3 with a run and a RBI for Taiwan.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Venezuela	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
Japan	1	2	4	4	X	11	13	1

Japan demolishes Venezuela as Akino Tanaka and Huna Tsuchiya team up on a three-hitter while the offense pounds Abril Amaro and her relievers in a mercy rule romp. LF/CF Miu Shiraishi (3 for 3, 3 R, 3 RBI) and CF Iori Miura (3 RBI) lead the attack.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Canada	0	1	0	0	3	0	0	4	4	5
United States	2	1	3	4	3	0	X	13	10	1

The US keeps pace with Japan, having gone 5-0 in the 2023 portion and starting the 2024 phase 3-0. 2B Alex Hugo is not retired at the plate today, scoring three runs and going deep. C Denae Benites also has a homer among her three hits. Olivia Pichardo allows one run in four to defeat Alli Schroder. DH Andréanne Leblanc has two of Canada's four hits.

July 31

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Mexico	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2
Japan	4	0	2	0	0	4	10	16	1

Natsuki Kubo and Yuna Tsuchiya combine on a two-hitter to beat Veronica Romo and Mexico. RF Miwa Naraoka (3 H, 3 R), LF Miu Shiraishi (3 R) and C Misaki Namai (4 for 4, 5 RBI) lead a potent offense. SS Samaria Benitez and 2B Gabriela Sandoval have Mexico's only hits.

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

It would be a US-Japan finale for the fifth time in nine Women's Baseball World Cups, but the first time since 2014, as the US joins Japan at 4-0 in the final round; Taiwan, meanwhile, stays winless. Elise Berger, Kate Blunt and Cody Eckert combine on today's six-hit whitewash. Veteran CF Kelsie Whitmore has a run and two RBI to lead the US in runs produced. SS Yi-Hsuan Chiu reaches all three times from the leadoff spot before leaving the game for Taiwan. Li-Ching Huang gets the decision for them.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Venezuela	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Canada	1	0	2	0	7	10	11	0

The hosts lock up a spot in the Bronze Medal Game with a mercy rule rout. Jaida Lee flings a one-hitter, C Yakary Molina getting the hit for the South Americans and Mariana Natera the defeat. CF Sena Catterall is 3-for-3 with 3 runs while C Lucie Anctil's grand slam ends it early.

August 1

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

In an exciting preview of the finale, Japan loses for the first time in 12 years, ending a 39-game winning streak. Defending Series MVP Ayami Sato and Jamie Baum trade goose eggs for the first three innings. In the 4th, CF Kelsie Whitmore reaches on a one-out error and DH Remi Schaber has a two-run single. LF Jillian Albayati then comes up huge with a three-run dinger. Japan got to Baum in the 5th on hits by SS Kae Iwami and 3B Ayaka Deguchi, with a wild pitch in between; that made it 3-1. In the 6th, they pulled alongside and could have done more. PH Yuki Kawabata singled and DH Akari Hoshikawa walked to bring up RF Miwa Naraoka, the cleanup hitter. Naraoka hit into a double play, which proved critical as the next three Japanese players reached. 1B Yuzuha Nakamura walked and CF Miu Shiraishi doubled in a pair. C Nanako Hanabusa singled to put runners on the corners. Meggie Meidlinger took over for the flagging Baum and got Iwami on a fly to keep it even.

The US went 1-2-3 in the 7th against Wakana Mori while Japan only had one runner reach via an error in the bottom of the inning, forcing extra innings. In the 8th, SS Valerie Perez bunted the starting runners over and 1B Naomi Ryan walked to load the bags. 3B Ashton Lansdell struck out but Mori made a critical balk to force in Denae Benites with the winning run. Mori struck out 2B Alex Hugo as well to keep Japan within one. Veteran Meidlinger had a 1-2-3 bottom of the 8th, striking out Shiraishi to seal the deal.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	R	H	E
Mexico	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	1	3	8	0
Venezuela	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	8	1

In their first Cup, Mexico was headed to the Bronze Medal Game after today's victory. Both teams went with their aces, Rosa del Castillo for Mexico and Frandelis Garcia for Venezuela. Garcia left with injury in the third, having walked five but without surrendering a run; Angelica Ledezma took over. In the 4th, C Marcela Diaz and DH Valerie Perez walked. Diaz was caught stealing but 2B Gabriela Sandoval doubled in Perez and SS Samaria Benitez singled (part of a 3-for-3 day) to make it 2-0.

Del Castillo blanked the South Americans for the first six innings but they got to her in the 7th. With one out, 3B Ruclaireth Tovar and 1B Stephany Suarez both singled and RF Kimberly Caicedo (the #9 hitter) doubled them both in. 2B Mariana Valdez was intentionally walked to set up the double play and the move paid off as CF Mariana Natera hit into a 1-6-3 twin killing to send the game to extra innings. Abril Amaro entered her fourth inning of relief to open the 8th. Mexico bunted over the starting runners and LF Marlen Lagunes contributed a sacrifice fly for a 3-2 lead. Flor Valerio came in to close it out and had a perfect inning to save it.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	R	H	E
Canada	2	1	2	0	1	2	0	1	9	16	3
Chinese Taipei	1	3	3	1	0	0	0	0	8	8	0

All three games today wound up going into extra innings as the defending Silver Medalists wind up a disappointing 0-5 in the final round for a 6th-place finish, while the hosts' only two losses in pool play were to the finalists. All three winners today also come from the 2023 Pool A, which has 3 of the 4 spots in Saturday's games. Canadian starter Michelle Roche gives up 7 runs (6 earned) in 2 2/3 IP but Liz Gilder and Sophy Gagné allow no hits and one unearned run in the final 5 1/3. SS Mia Valcke goes 5-for-5 with 3 RBI (including the game-winner) while CF Sena Catterall scores three times. Hsiao-Mei Chen gets the loss; RF Pei-Chen Huang and C Shih-Yun Lee both have two runs and two RBI for Taiwan.

August 2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Mexico	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	7	1
Canada	0	0	2	0	2	0	X	4	7	2

For the third time this Cup, Canada beat Mexico, this time for Bronze. For Mexico, it was a fine 4th-place performance for a debut team. Mexico took the lead in the second when DH Denise Perez hit a long drive to left off of Raine Padgham; it was the only run winning hurler Padgham allowed. CF Sena Catterall continued to showcase her defensive skills in center when she made a diving catch to rob CF Diana Ibarra; Catterall would win the tourney's award for best defensive player.

Maricela Aguillera blanked the hosts for two innings. In the third, RF Emily Baxter and Catterall singled and 2B Madison Willan was plunked. SS Mia Valcke hit into a 6-2 force at the plate. DH Andréanne Leblanc walked to force in a run and Aguillera hit LF Ela Day-Bédard to make it 2-0. She escaped further damage by striking out 1B Alizée Gélinas.

Canada doubled their lead in the 5th. Valcke reached on an error, Leblanc doubled her in and Gélinas had a two-out RBI single. Narda Andrade relieved and shut them down the rest of the way. After Alexane Fournier pitched scoreless ball in the 5th and 6th, Canada turned to Sophy Gagné to close it out. With one away, SS Samaria Benítez and 3B Edith De Leija both singled (De Leija's third hit of the day). 1B Daniela Leal hit into a force at second. C Liliana Segovia singled to bring in Benítez and put the tying run aboard. Perez walked to load the bases, but Gagné got out of the jam by retiring Ibarra on a grounder to get the save. Canada had now won 5 of 9 Bronzes in Cup annals.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Japan	0	0	4	3	4	0	0	11	12	1
United States	0	0	1	0	3	2	0	6	9	3

Japan avenged their loss from two days prior, winning their 7th Cup in a row, while the USA had their best finish in 10 years, breaking a tie with Canada and Japan for most Silver Medals by claiming their third.

The USA's Jillian Albayati and Japan's Miyu Shimizu each started with two shutout innings. In the third, C Nanako Hanabusa singled and was bunted over by SS Kae Iwami. 3B Ayaka Deguchi singled and an error on the play by RF Olivia Pichardo let in the game's first run; Deguchi would finish 3-for-3. CF Iori Miura grounded out but 2B Haruna Tadano singled in a run and 1B Yuki Kawabata smacked a two-run homer for a 4-0 edge.

The Americans got back one run in the bottom of the frame. With two outs, 3B Ashton Lansdell and 2B Alex Hugo were both hit by pitches. 1B Naomi Ryan hit into a Deguchi error that let Lansdell score to cut it to 4-1. Japan quickly tacked on some more. DH Akari Hoshikawa greeted reliever Kelsie Whitmore with a single, LF Miu Shiraishi (who won MVP) drew a walk and Hanabusa was plunked. Pichardo relieved the ineffective Whitmore and Iwami laid down a run-scoring bunt. Deguchi had a bunt single to drive in another. Miura made it three bunts in a row leading to runs as Ryan made an error on the play, giving Japan a 7-1 lead. Pichardo struck out Tadano and Kawabata to end that inning.

In the 5th, Japan got their final runs. RF Miwa Naraoka singled, Hoshikawa walked and Shiraishi singled in a run. Hanabusa had a RBI single for a 10-1 advantage and Deguchi's one-out single drove in their 11th run, putting them up by ten. Pichardo and Meggie Meidlinger shut them out for the next two innings. The US began closing the gap in the bottom of the inning. Jamie Baum had a pinch-hit single and Lansdell walked, then Hugo delivered a three-run smash to make it 11-4.

Akino Tanaka had a two-inning save but it wasn't flawless. She began by hitting SS Valerie Perez then gave up three consecutive singles - to C Denae Benites, backup 1B Kylee Lahners and Lansdell - for one run. A grounder by Ryan (now playing RF) drove in another and it was 11-6. Tanaka allowed no more runs though the US did get two runners on in the 7th.

Final Standings (2024)

1.  Japan
2.  United States
3.  Canada
4.  Mexico
5.  Venezuela
6.  Chinese Taipei

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Miu Shiraishi ( Japan)
• Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Sena Catterall ( Canada)

All-World Team

Position	Player	Nation
Starting Pitcher	Liz Gilder	Canada
Relief Pitcher	Miyu Shimizu	Japan
Catcher	Nanako Hanabusa	Japan
First Basewoman	Naomi Ryan	United States
Second Basewoman	Alex Hugo	United States
Third Basewoman	Edith De Leija	Mexico
Shortstop	Mia Valcke	Canada
Outfielders	Miu Shiraishi	Japan
	Sena Catterall	Canada
	Miwa Naraoka	Japan
Designated Hitter	Remi Schaber	United States

Further Reading

• Julia Kreuz: "Team USA, Canada among six teams in long-awaited Women's World Cup finals", mlb.com, July 27, 2024. [1]