The USA Softball U-17 Women’s National Team (WNT) picked up its fourth run-rule victory of the U-17 Women’s Pan American Championship in a 11-1 (four innings) victory over Puerto Rico.
An eight-run second inning, fueled by Tieley Vaughn’s (Tampa, Fla.) grand slam, allowed the Red, White and Blue offense to get ahead early in the final game of the Super Round. With the win, the U.S. improves to 7-0 and advances to tomorrow’s Championship Game against Mexico at 6 p.m. CT.
“It was a good day at the ballpark and a great way to end the Super Round,” said Head Coach Kyla Holas (Pasadena, Texas). “This team has handled everything that has been thrown at them and we are excited for the opportunity to play in the Championship Game tomorrow.”
Both teams collected their first hit off a single but were left scoreless through in the first inning. Kaci West (Liberty, Texas) struck out the first batter to begin the second and while an error allowed the next Puerto Rican batter to reach first safely, West continued to work from the circle and fanned the next two batters to close out the half-inning.
Jessie Blaine (Wentzville, Mo.) drew a leadoff walk before singles from Hallie Wacaser (Centerton, Ark.) and West loaded the bases for the Red, White and Blue. Batting No. 7 in the lineup, Vaughn cleared the bags with a grand slam to put the U.S. on the board, 4-0.
A fly ball to centerfield marked the first out, while Haidyn Sokoloski (Flower Mound, Texas) reached first on a walk. A sacrifice bunt from Avery Hodge (Fulshear, Texas) then moved Sokoloski to second.
After Sokoloski stole third, Maddie Gallagher (Port Washington, N.Y.) walked and Caitlynn Neal (Dewey, Ariz.) singled on a ground ball to right field to bring her home and give the U.S. a 5-0 lead. Doubles from Blaine and Wacaser plated another three runs for the U-17 WNT squad to cap off an eight-run second inning.
Puerto Rico answered back with a run of their own in the third inning but with one out, but a double play ended their chances of scoring additional runs. Leading off the bottom half of the third inning, Vaughn collected her second hit of the game with a double to left field. After a fly out, Sokoloski drew her second walk to put two runners on for the U-17 WNT. Vaughn stole third and crossed home on a wild pitch before Hodge singled home Sokoloski on a ground ball.
Keeping Puerto Rico off the board in the fourth inning, the U.S. needed just one run to end the game via run-rule. Despite rain starting to come down, the U-17 WNT loaded the bases with one out after Wacaser, West and Vaughn reached on a pair of walks and a single. A fly out to left field marked the second out but a passed ball allowed Wacaser to score the 11th run and give the U.S. their seventh win of the tournament.
Hodge, Wacaser and Vaughn went 2-for-2 on the day, while Vaughn led the team with four RBI. West, who ended with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, struck out five and allowed one run on three hits in her four innings of work.
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Road to the Championship
Playing in tomorrow’s Championship Game against Mexico slated for a 6 p.m. CT start, the undefeated U-17 WNT sets their sights on winning its eighth game of the U-17 Women’s Pan American Championship and taking home the Gold.
The U.S. has qualified for the 2020 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup with its perfect 7-0 record.
2019 U-17 Women’s Pan American Championship Results (USA)
October 11-19, 2019 | Barranquilla, Colombia
Date | Opponent | Time | (CT) | Media |
October 11 | USA 13, No. 20 Peru 0 (4) | 1 p.m. | Recap | Box Score |
October 12 | USA 5, No. 14 Brazil 0 | 4:30 p.m. | Recap | Box Score |
October 13 | USA 8, No. 5 Mexico 1 | 4:30 p.m. | Recap | Box Score |
October 15 | USA 12, No. 25 Argentina 0 (4) | 11:30 a.m. | Recap | Box Score |
October 16 | USA 17, No. 3 Canada 7 (4) | 4:30 p.m. | Recap | Box Score |
October 17 | USA 6, No. 34 Colombia 0 | 7 p.m. | Recap | Box Score |
October 18 | USA 11, No. 4 Puerto Rico 1 (4) | 2 p.m. | Recap | Box Score |
October 19 | Championship Game: USA vs No. 5 Mexico | 6 p.m | Live Stats |