After two days of competition, The World Games 2025 Women’s Softball tournament in Chengdu, China confirmed three of its four semifinalists on Thursday. Defending champions USA defeated the Netherlands, 8-1 in five innings, to remain perfect and clinch first place in Group A. In Group B, Canada and Japan earned their spots in the semifinals with wins over Australia and Puerto Rico, respectively.

World No. 2 USA (2-0) clinched first place in Group A with their win against the Netherlands, combined with Chinese Taipei’s victory over China, securing them top spot, regardless of the outcomes of the final pool games on Friday. No. 5 Chinese Taipei and No. 6 Netherlands, both 1-1, will face off on Friday with second place on the line. No. 10 China have been eliminated from medal-round contention.

In Group B, No. 4 Canada and No. 1 Japan have both advanced to the semifinals, posting 2-0 records after two days of play. They will meet on Friday to decide first place in the group while No. 3 Puerto Rico and No. 8 Australia will meet in a play-off for third place in the group.

Canada 9-0 Australia – Play by Play and Box Score

Janet Leung, Emma Entzminger and Kianna Jones homered while Annabel Teperson and Dawn Bodrug combined for a shutout to power Canada past Australia, 9-0 in six innings. The Canadian squad is now 2-0 in Group B.

Teperson started for Canada and went four innings, striking out one while giving up five hits. Bodrug tossed two innings of no-hit ball, allowing only a walk.

For Australia, Olivia Elliot went 2-for-3 from the top of the order. Kaia Parnaby was charged with the loss.

Netherlands 1-8 USA – Play by Play and Box Score

With a four-inning no-hit start from Megan Faraimo, USA defeated the Netherlands 8-1 and remain as the only undefeated in Group A. With the win, USA is the leader of the group and will close the Opening Round on Friday against China.

Hannah Flippen went 3-for-3 with three RBI’s and two runs scored to lead a USA lineup that racked up 14 hits in the game. Dejah Mulipola also had a perfect morning going 3-for-3 with two RBIs.

The Netherlands only had one hit: A single from Damishah Charles off Kelly Maxwell in the top of the fifth to drive in her team’s only run of the game.

Chinese Taipei 8-1 China – Play by Play and Box Score

Behind Ke Hsia-Ai’s masterpiece, Chinese Taipei defeated China, 8-1, to close Thursday’s action in Group A. Lin Feng-Chen and Li Szu-Shih homered for the winners, combining for five of the team’s 11 hits.

Ke Hsia-Ai tossed a complete-game gem, allowing just one hit in seven innings, with two strikeouts and one walk. China’s only hit came from Min Ren, who launched a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Yinan Chai took the loss, working 4.2 innings and surrendering five runs on six hits, while striking out five.

With the loss, China have been eliminated from medal-round contention.

Puerto Rico 0-7 Japan – Play by Play and Box Score

Natsumi Fujimori and Kanna Kudo homered for Japan, propelling the world No. 1 to a 7-0 win over Puerto Rico and securing a spot in the semifinals.

Fujimori blasted the second pitch of the game over the centre-field fence for a leadoff home run. Kudo followed in the second inning with a three-run shot to make it 6-0, and later doubled in the seventh run of the game in the fourth inning.

From the circle, Miu Goto delivered three innings of one-hit ball with four strikeouts. Legend Yukiko Ueno closed the game with two perfect innings, striking out three of the six batters she faced.

Puerto Rico’s only hit came from Luna Taboas, who laid down a bunt to lead off the game. Keira Bucher took the loss in the circle.

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