Women's Softball World Cup Finals Day 1: Damishah Charles doubles, Netherlands lead 3-1
The second game is on its way at the XVII Women's Softball World Cup Finals in Castions di Strada, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. The first three days will serve as the opening round. The top two finishers of each Group will advance to the Super Round.
All games are live on GameTime.
Puerto Rico @ Netherlands
Lisa Hop started for the Netherlands, while Puerto Rico gave the ball to Aleshia Ocasio.
The Dutch took the lead in the bottom of the first. Ocasio walked leadoff hitter Britt Vonk, who stole second and advanced to third on an illegal pitch. She scored the go-ahead run on a base hit by Maxime Van Dalen to shallow centre field. Captain Suka Van Gurp tripled to left field to make it 2-0.
Puerto Rico got on the scoreboard in the top of the third on a two-out and RBI double by leadoff hitter Nia Carter.
Left fielder Damishah Charles extended the Dutch lead with an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth.
Puerto Rico replaced Ocasio with Gianna Mancha in the bottom of the fifth.
Catheribe Giigorie relieved Hop in the top of the sixth.
Japan-Australia 3-0
World No. 3 Japan defeated No. 10 Australia in the opening game of the XVII Women's Softball World Cup Finals. Miu Goto went six innings and Sakura Miwa took care of the final six outs. Yui Sakamoto had a two-RBI game.
Miu Goto started for Japan, while Australia gave the ball to Kandra Lamb.
The first three innings went scoreless, with Japan reaching first only once. Australia has runners in scoring position in the second with two outs, but a fine play by Hitomi Kawabata at second retired Madison Scott to end the threat.
Shortstop Kyoko Ishikawa ended Australia's fourth at bat retiring Jade Wall despite a head-first slide to first with Georgia Hood rounding third.
Ishikawa gave Japan the first runner in scoring position on a throwing error to first in the bottom half of the frame. She reached third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a double to left by first base Eri Shimoyama.
Australia gave the ball to Kaia Parnaby. With two outs, Yui Sakamoto doubled to left field to extend Japan's lead to 2-0.
Ellen Roberts replaced Parnaby in the bottom of the sixth. Yui Sakamoto got to her with an RBI single to make it 3-0.
Sakura Miwa took over for Goto and got the final three outs.
The United States are perennial favourites
Canada to rely on strong offence
China aiming at first World Cup medal since 1994
Speed and defence are Japan's strengths
Puerto Rico looking for first World Cup medal
Netherlands feel they can compete
Australia aiming for a podium finish
Italy's head coach Pizzolini: "We can compete against everybody"