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ABOUT
The USA U-15 team started strong on Day 1 at the Utsugi Cup taking place this weekend at the Utsugi Stadium in Takasaki City, Japan.
The Red, White & Blue team pitched a pair of impressive shutouts to top Italy and China in the six-team tourney which will see the USA face Japan in the title game.
Here’s the details of how the USA team won the championship…
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CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: USA 1, Japan 0
BOX SCORE:Â
TEAM USA STARTERS:Â
Stevie South (CF), Aspen Boulware (RF), Anabela Abdullah (SS), Aubrey McLaughlin (LF), Kenya Lapuaho (1B), Taegan Lermann (DP), Addison Otto (3B), Brooklyn Paratore (C), Madelyn Armendariz (2B), Macie Bryant (P)
WINNING PITCHER:Â
Macie Bryant (2-0)Â Perfect game
BATTING LEADERS:
- Aspen Boulware (2-2, 2 singles)
- Ella Kim (1-1, 1 single)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Closing out the tournament with its third-straight shutout, the Red, White and Blue faced Japan in the championship game following matchups against Italy (3-0) and China (10-0) in group play yesterday.
In the first edition of the U-15 Utsugi Cup, the Eagles pulled out a narrow 1-0 championship win over Japan behind a perfect game from Macie Bryant and a stolen base from Madelyn Armendariz to score the only run of the game.
A true battle of the best, the U.S. posted a combined three hits, scoring its only run in the top of the sixth while Bryant remained solid in the circle, retiring all 18 batters she faced in order – 12 via strikeout.
Aspen Boulware led the Eagles at the plate, tallying a perfect 2-for-2 performance behind two singles – one of which lit the spark for the U.S. offense in the top of the sixth.
The Japan defense managed to keep the U.S. quiet through five at-bats to force the championship game into extra innings. With the international tie-breaker rule in effect, Armendariz took position on second base looking to score while a walk from Stevie South and a bunt single from Boulware put Armendariz in scoring position.
With pressure on the Japan defense, Armendariz sped home on a dropped third strike to give the U.S. a one-run edge. With a Japan runner placed on second in the bottom of the frame, Bryant remained steady in the circle, retiring the side in order to seal the championship win for the Red, White and Blue.
**NOTE: Playing rules at the U-15 Utsugi Cup issued a five-inning game as a complete game.
GAME NOTES:
- Bryant got the start in the circle for the U.S., striking out 12 batters through six innings to clinch Team USA’s third shutout of the tournament – posting a perfect game for the pitcher.
- The Eagles combined for 3 hits in the win – Boulware (two singles) and Kim (one single).
- The U.S. did not allow a single run in the championship game.
- With a tie game after the fifth inning, the championship game went into extra innings where the U.S. scored its only run of the game in the top of the sixth inning.
- Armendariz scored the only run of the game after a dropped third strike – thanks to her aggressive base running and quickness.
TOURNAMENT NOTES:
- The U.S. combined for a .364 batting average and a combined 20 hits while outscoring its opponents 14-0 over the two-day event.
- Leading the U.S. at the plate was Boulware with a .833 batting average, followed by South (.571) and Anabela Abdullah (.429).
- The U.S. pitching staff of Bryant, Lily Pullen and Taegan Lermann proved to be superior throughout the tournament with three shutouts and a combined 27 strikeouts, while only allowing a low of four hits through three games.
- Bryant won MVP for Team USA for her outstanding performances in the circle – receiving a special gift from Taeko Utsugi, former Japan Women’s Softball Team manager and tournament honoree. Bryant tallied two wins, 19 strikeouts and a .0.00 ERA throughout the tournament.
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