McDowell and Harrison Lead USA to First-Place Finish in U-18 World Cup Group C Stage
DALLAS – Arkansas freshmen Ella McDowell and Cam Harrison helped guide the U.S. U-18 Women’s National Team (WNT) to a first-place finish in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 World Cup Group C Stage Event as team USA posted a perfect 6-0 record.
McDowell was named the most outstanding player of the event after posting an impressive .733 batting average and .750 on-base percentage with 11 hits, two doubles, two home runs, eight RBI, and a walk. The Richmond, Texas native also posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with two putouts and eight assists while playing third base. McDowell led all players in the event in five statistical categories, including batting average (.733), home runs (2), on-base percentage (.750), slugging percentage (1.267) and on-base plus slugging percentage (2.017).
Harrison was dominant in her two outings in the circle, posting a 1.00 earned run average with four strikeouts and three hits allowed in seven innings pitched. She picked up a six-inning complete-game victory in a 9-1 win over Canada on Aug. 30., striking out two and allowing just three hits. The Katy, Texas, product followed up her complete game with a 1-2-3 inning of relief that featured two strikeouts in a 7-0 win over the Philippines on Sept. 1.
As a result of the win, Team USA clinched a spot in the 2025 U-18 WBSC World Cup Finals, which will take place in Dallas.
The Razorbacks are coming off a 37-18 mark in 2024, featuring their seventh-consecutive NCAA Tournament berth in 2024 and fifth national seed, all of which have come under head coach Courtney Deifel’s guidance.
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