US National Team ends perfect streak in Women’s Softball World Cup loss to Japan
Members of the United States women’s national softball team smile in two rows after claiming the silver medal in the 2024 Women’s Softball World Cup. (Courtesy of USA Softball)
By Connor Dullinger
July 22, 2024 8:38 p.m.
It sometimes takes perfection to win a championship.
Going into the final game of the WBSC World Cup Finals, the United States had tossed 28 consecutive scoreless innings.
And with the gold medal on the line, the No. 1 U.S. Women’s National Team needed to post goose eggs for just seven more innings.
But perfection is difficult to maintain.
With 11 hits and five walks, a surging No. 2 Japan side utilized timely hitting to stamp six runs on the scoreboard, ripping the gold medal from the hands of the U.S. by a score of 6-1 in Castions di Strada, Italy.
After defeating Canada and sweeping both Italy and China, the U.S. defeated Japan in the Super Round 2-0. Pitcher/first baseman and UCLA alumnus Megan Faraimo threw a seven-inning shutout, only giving up three baserunners and striking out eight.
In its second Super Round matchup, the U.S. bulldozed through the Netherlands 7-0 in five-inning run-rule fashion. Former Bruin pitcher Ally Carda tossed two scoreless innings, issuing three walks but striking out three against the Dutch.
Former Bruins showed dominance at the plate, with outfielder Maya Brady notching a hit, a run and a walk, while pinch hitter and UCLA alumnus Rachel Garcia added an RBI single.
The U.S. entered the gold medal match as favorites, previously outscoring opponents 27-2. But an uncharacteristic defensive performance allowed the Japanese bats to thrive.
Faraimo – pitching in relief – tossed in 1.2 innings that gave up four runs, four hits and two walks. Carda stepped in and tossed 3.1 scoreless innings, but her efforts could not remedy the five-run deficit.
Despite falling short of the gold, the former Bruins made their presences known on the international stage.
Brady finished the tournament with eight total bases, five RBIs and a .375 batting average. Garcia also contributed offensively, adding an RBI and a run scored.
The Americans made up for their weak offense with strong pitching. The former-Bruin tandem of Carda and Faraimo combined for a 3-0 record, with the former finishing the tournament with a 1.14 ERA and the latter with a 2.05 ERA.
The duo combined for 29 strikeouts and gave up just six earned runs through 25.3 innings. Faraimo also notched two shutouts.
