OKLAHOMA CITY — The U.S. U-18 Women’s National Team (WNT) has begun preparations in the Softball Capital of the World® ahead of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Women’s World Cup Finals. After qualifying last year in Dallas, Texas, the squad aims to capture its fifth straight title, having won gold in each of the last four editions (2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021). Since the inaugural Junior Women’s World Championship in 1981, the U.S. has stood atop the podium eight times and has medaled in every edition (five silver, one bronze).
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As part of their warm-up for international play, the Eagles will hold a series of practices, including scrimmages against Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma before taking the field at Devon Park on Sept. 27. Team USA will join seven other nations in a five-day competition as the WBSC U-18 Women’s World Cup Finals get underway. The U.S. enters as the No. 2 seed and will compete in Group A alongside No. 4 Canada, No. 5 Chinese Taipei, and No. 7 China. Group B features No. 1 Japan, No. 3 Puerto Rico, No. 8 Mexico, and No. 11 Czechia. Following the Opening Round, the top four teams will advance to the Super Round (Sept. 29–30), with the medal games to follow on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Fans can follow the action all week long on the WBSC’s exclusive GameTime video platform, with daily passes available for $7.99 and full-tournament access for $14.99. Live stats will also be available at USASoftball.com.
The 16-player roster features a blend of familiar athletes and promising new talent, including McLaine Hudson and Payton Westra, who recently participated in the 2024 WBSC U-18 World Cup Group Stage Event, where their contributions helped the Eagles secure a spot in this year’s finals. Additionally, five players from the 2023 U-15 World Cup gold medal squad will be making their debut on the U-18 stage: Anabela Abdullah, Aspen Boulware, Madelyn Doty, Aubrey McLaughlin, and Brooklyn Paratore. The roster includes athletes from 10 different states and six USA Softball regions. Texas (Region 5) leads with four players, followed by California (Region 10) with three and Arizona (Region 10) with two. Additionally, Florida (Region 3), Georgia (Region 3), Kentucky (Region 6), Louisiana (Region 4), Oklahoma (Region 5), South Carolina (Region 3), and Utah (Region 9) each have one athlete on the roster.
Once again at the helm on the international stage, head coach Kyla Holas will lead Team USA in its pursuit of gold, joined by assistant coaches Alisa Goler and two-time Olympian Kelly Kretschman.
To learn more about the U.S. Women’s National Team Program, visit USASoftball.com.