A debut to remember for American Samoa in WBSC U-15 Softball World Cup

American Samoa, the No. 64 programme in the WBSC Women's Softball World Ranking, couldn't have had much of a bigger task in their first ever game in a WBSC World Cup. The Oceania side took on world No. 2 Japan on the first day of the WBSC U-15 Women's Softball World Cup in Italy and put on a superb display, trailing the bronze medallists from two years ago by only one run in the fifth inning before eventually conceding 6-2.

The youngest side in the tournament explained to the WBSC how their strong culture and heritage helped them to perform for the first time on the global stage.

American Samoa's head coach Vili Faapouli, who said he was proud of his players' performance, explained how the sporting landscaped has changed on an island with a population of about 70,000.

"In the 1980s, baseball was big in American Samoa," said Faapouli, who grew up playing baseball himself. "But somehow faded when other sports became more popular. I'm talking about soccer and [American] football."

Since an American Samoa native mentioned soccer, the WBSC mentioned the movie Next Goal Wins by Academy Award-winning director Taika Waititi. The movie is based on a true story. Dutch coach Thomas Rongen took over the American Samoa National Team after a humiliating 31-0 defeat against Australia and led them to a historic win against Tonga.

The WBSC asked Faapouli if he finds that movie inspirational.

"I do. Actually, I played a little role in the movie, performing a traditional dance."

He is proud of what has been accomplished, especially considering the many geographical challenges.

"We have two fields, one for baseball and one for softball. We have seven high schools competing in a championship."

After the team's warmup before the opening game against Japan, Faapouli introduced the WBSC to a pair of players representing the two different souls of the team.

Amari Davis is a 14-year-old middle infielder who grew up in Southern California. She believes her best skill is hitting. "I am aware of the level of pitching. It will be challenging."

She has played softball since she was eight years old. When she saw a flyer at school about American Samoa offering the opportunity to represent the island in international softball to players with heritage on the island, she took her chance. "I thought representing my heritage would be a great experience," Davis said. "I am willing to play in such a competitive environment."

Aurelia Lefiti, at 13, is the youngest player on the roster. When we mentioned the possibility that softball could become her future, she replied: "It could be."

Aurelia started playing in school and has experienced playing the outfield, third base and first base. "I'm very curious to see Japanese pitchers live. I find their windmill motion very interesting."

Ran Nagata proved untouchable for American Samoa's hitter. She worked three innings and allowed only a walk, striking out six.

American Samoa starter Cadence Buscher, who grew up in Colber, Washington, USA, kept Japan scoreless in the first. Then she allowed the first run in the bottom of the second on the first hit of the game, a triple by right fielder Yui Sizaki.

Buscher also got the first American Samoa hit off reliever Saya Nakamura in the top of the fourth.

American Samoa stayed in the game after Allison Jennings relieved Buscher with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. Japan scored two runs in the at-bat, extending their lead to 3-0 however the debutants didn't believe it was over. With runners at second and first, Jalessa Alenepi singled off reliever Yuria Takahara. Both runners scored on a defensive error, making it a one-run game.

"I was a little nervous with runners on base," commented Alenepi, who grew up in Alaska and is a ninth grader in school. "I understand these are the first runs American Samoa scored in a World Cup, and it feels good."

She added: "It's been a nice experience so far. I'm eager to play more games. I expect to see more competitive softball."

Defence didn't help Jennings, and Japan added insurance runs in the bottom half of the fifth and in the bottom of the sixth, and won the game 6-2.

"You may have seen the switch we talked about yesterday," said Faapouli with a smile at the end of the game. "I am proud of what the girls did, staying in the game. It is what I wanted to see."