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Team USA Reaches Oklahoma City Playoffs Undefeated Without Allowing a Run

USA Softball grabbed its fourth and fifth shutout run-rule victories, while China battled the Netherlands in eight innings to clinch the No. 2 seed.
Nicole Reitz|
USA Softball grabbed its fourth shutout win.
USA Softball grabbed its fourth shutout win. | WBSC

The United States of America and China entered the final game of pool play undefeated after three days of play at the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Oklahoma City. 

It was Team USA who prevailed on Tuesday night, shutting out China 7-0.

Skylar Wallace paced the offense with a 3-for-4 and three runs batted in. Megan Grant, Aubrey Leach, Dejah Mulipolah and Rachel Garcia each homered in the contest.

Lexi Kilfoyl got the start and pitched four shutout innings before giving way to Kelly Maxwell for the final two, The two pitched allowed a hit each and combined for eight strikeouts.

Team USA will play China again on Wednesday at 1 p.m. CT with the winner clinched a spot in the WBSC World Cup Finals in Australia in 2027.

Here are the rest of the highlights from days three and four at Devon Park. 

Day 3: No. 2 USA vs. No. 23 New Zealand 

Team USA put up its fourth shutout, run-rule victory of the tournament with a 9-0 defeat of New Zealand, while China battled the Netherlands 3-2 in eight innings. Meanwhile, Mexico improved greatly, sweeping Brazil and New Zealand to move to a 2-2 record. 

Ace Karlyn Pickens was throwing heat in the circle as she led the Eagles to a one-hit shutout. She struck out 10 of the 16 batters faced, with Hailey Breakwell recording the lone hit for New Zealand. 

Maya Brady led on offense, going 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Other outstanding performers at the plate included Skylar Wallace, Alyssa Brito, Janae Jefferson, Kayla Kowalik, and Jayda Coleman, all of whom helped the team put up 15 hits in the run-rule. 

No. 8 China 3, No. 6 Netherlands 2

China took an early lead in the second inning, before Britt Vonk hit a two-run home run to put the Netherlands ahead. China then capitalized on the Netherlands’ fielding errors and managed to tie up the frame without recording a hit. 

With both pitchers’ duel commencing, the tie was locked in, forcing extra innings. Kailin XI was the hero for China, after she singled up the middle to score Yuanyuan Gui, leaving China undefeated. 

Yinan Chai grabbed the win in the circle, allowing just two runs scored on seven hits while striking out five. 

No. 7 Mexico 9, No. 17 Brazil 2

After consistent losses, Mexico grabbed their first win of the tournament in six innings. 

Mya Perez led the offense, going 4-for-4 with a triple, four RBIs, and a run scored. Alexandra Piña went  2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run, while Sarah Perez went 2-for-4 and scored twice.

Citlalz Gutierrez was awarded the win after throwing all six innings. She allowed just two runs on eight hits and eight strikeouts. 

No. 7 Mexico 10, No. 23 New Zealand 3

Mexico kept the momentum flowing into their second game of the day. Sarah Coccillos finished the outing 1-for-3 with a grand slam and four RBIs, Kayden Henry went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and Alexia Lopez went 3-for-3 with a run. 

Lindsay Lopez was awarded the win in the circle after allowing three unearned runs on five hits while striking out seven. 

Schedule 

  • Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 2:00 p.m. ET – Mexico vs. China
  • Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET– China vs. USA 
  • Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 2:00 p.m. ET – Group Oklahoma Final
  • Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 5:00 p.m. ET – Group Oklahoma Third Place Team vs. Fourth Place Team
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Nicole Reitz
NICOLE REITZ

Nicole Reitz graduated from Indiana University Indianapolis with a degree in sports journalism in 2022 and has been writing about softball and baseball since 2018 .Her work has been published in various publications like Softball America, the Indianapolis Star, and SoxOn35th.

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