U.S. Women’s National Team Posts Undefeated Record Enroute to Pan American Championship Gold Medal

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala –– The U.S. Women’s National Team (WNT) shined bright at the Pan American Championship, posting an undefeated 9-0 record through the week-long event to clinch the gold medal and earn Team USA a spot in the Stage 1 qualifying event for the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) World Cup.

Capping a dominant week in Guatemala City, the Eagles met Team Canada for a rematch in the gold medal contest after facing off in a competitive seven-inning pool play game earlier in the week. The U.S. proved to be superior, though, posting its eighth run-rule win of the tournament with a 12-1 victory over Canada to finish atop the podium. The Eagles combined for 12 hits in the gold medal victory with home runs off the bats of Sahvanna Jaquish and Amanda Lorenz, while Aubrey Leach shined with a 3-for-3 day at the plate – her third perfect offensive performance of the tournament. Getting the start in the circle for Team USA was Megan Faraimo who limited the Canadian offense to one run before Rachel Garcia stepped in for their final three at-bats in the top of the fourth inning – two of which were retired via a strikeout.

The Eagles offense soared through its quest to the gold medal with a combined .527 team batting average highlighted by eight U.S. batters finishing above .500. Earning the Tournament MVP award and settling into the Red, White and Blue uniform with ease was Leach who led the pack with a .679 batting average followed by Lorenz (.579), Jaquish (.550) and Jada Cody (.528). Also shining in her Team USA debut was Mia Davidson, sending three long balls out of the park with Shannon Rhodes, Cody and Jaquish blasting two homers followed by one home run apiece from Lorenz, Leach, Dejah Mulipola and Sis Bates. Extra bases was the name of the game for this U.S. roster with a combined total of 31 doubles and seven triples to contribute to a total of 108 RBI, led by Cody with 19 and Jaquish and Leach with 17 apiece.

The pitching staff of Alyssa Denham, Mariah Mazon, Faraimo and Garcia combined for 50 strikeouts throughout the tournament with Garcia racking up 23 of her own through 17.2 innings pitched. Faraimo finished with four wins followed by Garcia with three and Mazon and Denham with one win apiece. A force to be reckoned with, the U.S. pitchers remained solid through 40.2 innings pitched while limited their opponents to 13 runs on 26 hits.

The Pan American Championship gold medal caps the 2022 season for the U.S. WNT following two additional golden performances at the Canada Cup and World Games held earlier this year. To learn more about Team USA, visit USASoftball.com.