WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup 2024 Group C - Day 2 Live Blog: Down to the last out, Mexico win in extras. Philippines get first win of the tournament
Welcome to the live blog of Day 2 at the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup 2024 Group C. On Thursday, Australia, Canada and USA started the tournament with a victory and aim to mount a winning streak today. Philippines and USA face a doubleheader on Friday. In the first game, Mexico defeated Philippines, 6-4, in nine innings to open the day. In their second game of the day, Philippines beat Ireland 5-2. USA will face Australia at 3:30pm and Canada at 6:30pm.
All games are available on the WBSC official streaming platform, GameTime.
Key News
- Day 1: Australia win opener against Philippines; Canada too good for Mexico; USA beat Ireland
- WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Group C press conference: Head coaches on mindset, preparation ahead of tournament start on Thursday
- Softball superpowers, rising nations collide in WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Group C
- WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup: A bright future for Olympic softball
- Meet Dallas, home of the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Group C & Finals 2025
- The Village Dallas, much more than a host for the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Group C
- WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Group C: GameTime to live-stream all 19 games
With two outs and a runner on third in the top of the seventh, losing by one, Mexico's first baseman Karina Rodriguez hit a clutch RBI single up the middle to tie the game against Philippines and send it to extras. Mexico would win the 3.5-hour game in the ninth inning, 6-4, to even their record 1-1.
In the top of the ninth, Mexico took advantage of a defensive error to put two runners on, score twice on a sac fly by Izel Avalos and a single by Ana Paula Oquita.
Jenny Robledo started for Mexico and pitched the first 5.1 innings of the game, being replaced by Lilianna Acosta in the bottom of the sixth. However, she came back into the circle to take care of the eighth and ninth inning retiring six of the next seven batters (she only gave up an intentional walk). She was the winner of the game, with 7.1 innings pitched, nine hits and four allowed; while striking out six.
Philippines had recovered from a 3-1 deficit to take a one-run lead in the sixth with a two-RBI single to center field by Erica Arnaiz. However, being one out away from clinching the game, they couldn't hold the lead.
With this result, Mexico's record is now 1-1, while Philippines dropped to 0-2. They will play against Ireland in the next game of the tournament.
With a complete game performance by Althea Palzario and a 10-hit game as a team, Philippines defeated Ireland, 5-2, in the second game of the day, splitting today's doubleheader after this mourning's loss to Mexico. Palzario struck out 10 in seven innings, giving up eight hits and two runs.
In the bottom of the third, Ireland tied the game with one out and had the bases loaded. Ryann Burke hit a line-drive to first base which was caught by first baseman Jiyah Caban, who stepped on the base for an easy, inning-ending double play. This was the pivotal moment of the game, turning what could have been a big inning into a missed opportunity for Ireland.
In the fifth, Philippines took a three-run lead that secured the game for them.
With the win, Philippines is now 1-2 in the standings; while Ireland collected their second loss in as many games.
Another big rivalry will have a new chapter here in Dallas on the last game of the day, with neighbours USA and Canada facing each other. Canada got on the win column yesterday defeating Mexico. Their last meeting was also in the 2019 edition of this World Cup, with a 12-0 win for USA in four innings. Megan Faraimo and Alexis Kilfoyl tossed a no-hitter that day.
Key Links
- Schedule/live scoring
- Rosters
- Live Streaming
- Live clips on X
- Videos
- Photos
- WBSC/KONAMI Women's Softball World Ranking
USA 1 - 0 Australia - Play by play
Top 1st - USA strike first in the game. McLaine Hudson laid down a bunt for a single, stole second base and moved to third on a wild pitch. She finally scored on a sac fly from Isabella Ruggiero to give USA a 1-0 lead.
Starting pitchers - Arwen Kavanagh (AUS) - Alexa Hames (USA)
Preview - USA and Australia will meet at 3:30pm after winning their openers yesterday. USA topped Ireland in Game 3, while Australia downed Philippines in Game 1. They played for the last time in this event in 2019 in Irvine, for the Super Round of that World Cup. USA defeated the green and gold team, 9-0.
Philippines 5 - 2 Ireland - Boxscore
Bottom 7th - Ireland score once in the bottom of the seventh, on an error by shortstop Mylia Perez, but the comeback falls short as Ryann Burke flied out to left field.
Top 6th - The Asian squad increase their lead scoring once. Trisha Hicayen singled to the right field and later scored on a single to right field by Mylia Perez. It was Philippines' 10th hit of the game. The score is now 5-1.
Top 5th - Philippines mounted a three run rally with two away in the fifth inning. Rhea Manalo and Elena Eigner singled, and then scored on a go-ahead double by Jiyah Caban to the left field line. Caban herself scored on a single from Kamille Beals. The score is 4-1.
Bottom 3rd - After two quick innings for Althea Palzario, Ireland's bats come alive in the bottom of the third to tie the game. The Europeans used four hits, including an RBI single by Ciara McMenamin, to score one and load the bases with one out, before a line-drive was caught by first baseman Jiyah Caban, who stepped on the base for an easy inning-ending double play.
Top 3rd - Philippines jump ahead in the score with an RBI single by Rhea Manalo. A lead-off walk by Althea Palzario, who moved to second on a wild pitch, set the table for Manalo's RBI knock. The Asians lead 1-0.
Starting pitchers: Andrea Hegarty (IRL) - Althea Palzario (PHI)
Preview - In the second contest today, Philippines will take on Ireland. First pitch is scheduled at 12:30. Ireland made their debut against USA, losing 15-0 in three innings. This will be the first time these two teams will face each other in a U-18 Women's Softball World Cup.
Mexico 6 - 4 Philippines - Boxscore
Bottom 9th - Robledo retires in line with a pair of fly balls to first base and a strikeout to close the game.
Top 9th - Mexico take advantage of a defensive error to score two on a sac fly by Izel Avalos and a single by Ana Paula Oquita. Mexico take a 6-4 lead.
Bottom 8th - Jenny Robledo re-enters the circle and keeps Mexico in the game. Robledo retired the three outs on a pair of strikeouts and a fly ball to send the game to the ninth inning.
Top 8th - Philippines retires in line the first three batters on a pair of fly balls and a grounder, preventing the tie-breaking runner from scoring. The game remains 4-4.
Top 7th - Lilianna Acosta retire in line the seventh inning and we go to extras.
Top 7th - Down to the last out, Mexico tied the game. Aryana Salazar hit a one-out double to left field, moved on a fly ball behind first base, and scored on a clutch two-out single by Karina Rodriguez.
Bottom 6th - Philippines hit three singles to load the bases with one out, and Mylia Perez worked a four-pitch walk to score her team's second run of the game. Lilianna Acosta took the ball for Mexico, replacing Jenny Robledo, and forced Rhea Manalo to a grounder to third for the second out of the inning at home. However. Acosta couldn't avoid a two-RBI line-drive single to center field by Erica Arnaiz to give the lead to Philippines again. The game is 4-3 for Philippines
Top 6th - Mexico take the lead in the game. Ana Oquita and Karina Ibarra hit back to back singles, and Clarissa Mejia drove Oquita in with a single to center field. It was the last pitch for Philippines lefty Erica Arnaiz, who was replaced by Angelica Latriz, who couldn't avoid the second run of the inning on a bunt by Danna Viera, who collected her second RBI of the game. Mexico lead 3-1.
Bottom 5th - Erica Arnaiz ripped a one-out triple to the right field corner, but she couldn't score as Shein Espinoza grounded to third and Jiyah Caban struck out swingwing for the third out of the inning. The game is still 1-1.
Top 5th - Erica Arnaiz replaces Callie Christian in the circle for Philippines. Christian pitched four innings, giving up three hits and one run. Arnaiz walked Ayari Vanblaircom to start the inning and then a wild pitch put the runner in second base, with no outs. However, the left handed pitcher struck out the next two batters and forced Aryana Salazar to a soft liner to second base to end the inning.
Top 4th - Mexico score their first run of the tournament to tie the game. Clarissa Mejia was hit by a pitch, and pinch runner Johana Robledo stole second base. From there she scored on an RBI single by Danna Viera. The game is tied now 1-1.
Bottom 3rd - Philippines take the lead in the game. Mylia Perez walked and stole second base to put herself in scoring position, and then scored easily on a double by Rhea Manalo. Philippines lead 1-0.
Top 3rd - Mexico threatened putting runners in scoring position and one out, on a pair of singles by Natalie Rodarte and Izel Avalos. However, Aryanna Salazar grounded and Philippines shortstop Mylia Perez threw Rodarte out at home plate. Ana Quita hit a fly ball to center field to end the inning.
Bottom 1st - Mylia Perez hit a lead-off double, moved to third on a sac bunt and then a hit by pitch and a walk loaded the bases with two outs for the Philippines. However, Callie Christian hit a popup to short stop to end the inning. For Perez, it was her fourth hit in five at bats, with three extra bases.
Starting pitchers: Callie Christian (PHI) - Jenny Robledo (MEX)
Preview - The first game of the day today will feature Mexico and Philippines, with both teams looking for their first win of the tournament. The game is scheduled at 9:30am local time. Yesterday, Philippines lost to Australia, 7-4, in spite of an amazing performance by Mylia Perez, who went 3-for-4 with a homer, a double and single. On the other hand, Mexico had a bad start against Canada, losing 9-0. They collided for the last time in this event in 2017, playing twice in as many days. Mexico won both contests, 1-0 and 5-3.
