TOKYO, Japan – Capping a dominant week in Tokyo, Japan, the U.S. U-15 Women’s National Team (WNT) clinched the 2023 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Women’s Softball World Cup gold medal after defeating Puerto Rico 3-0. The Eagles combined for six hits in the win, highlighted by a multi-hit performance at the plate from Sofia Hernandez (2-for-3) – her third of the tournament. Shining in the circle for the Eagles was Macie Bryant who tossed 17 strikeouts in the matchup while only allowing one hit through seven innings.
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Closing out the tournament with its sixth shutout, Team USA met Puerto Rico for a rematch in the gold medal contest after facing off in Opening Round where the U.S. posted a 6-0 win. Once again proving victorious, the U-15 WNT clinched its sixth shutout win with a 3-0 victory over Puerto Rico to finish atop the podium. The Puerto Rico defense looked to force a slow start for the U.S., but Aspen Boulware and Stevie South had other plans as the duo used a pair of singles to plate one, while Anabela Abdullah pressured the defense with a bunt to force an error that allowed South to speed home – claiming the U.S. lead, 2-0 in the bottom of the first. The next four innings saw great defensive work from both sides until Kenya Lapuaho got things going in the bottom of the sixth with a line-drive single. Hernandez then sent a fly ball to right field for a double to set the stage for an RBI-single from Riley Staats to plate the final U.S. run of the game – extending the U.S. lead, 3-0. Macie Bryant remained hot in the circle, retiring all three batters – two via strikeout – to seal the gold medal win for the Eagles.
The U.S. offense soared through its quest to stand atop the podium, accumulating a .417 team batting average and a combined 80 hits while outscoring its opponents 70-3. Leading the U.S. at the plate was Sam Alekman with a .579 batting average, followed by Jordyn Johnsen (.538) and Brooklyn Paratore (.533). The U.S. pitching staff of Bryant, Madi Doty, Taegan Lermann and Lily Pullen proved to be superior throughout the tournament with six shutout wins and a combined 84 strikeouts, while allowing 15 hits through eight games.
Earning the Tournament MVP award with four home runs was Aspen Boulware who tabbed eight hits through eight games, while tallying a team-high seven RBI and 10 runs. Today’s gold medal victory signifies the third gold medal finish of 2023 for the U-15 WNT, having won the 2023 Pan American Championship and the Utsugi Cup earlier in the year.
For more information on the USA Softball Women’s National Team program, visit USASoftball.com.