World No. 3 Japan defeated No. 1 United States in the final, 6-1, before a sell-out crowd of 3,200 in Castions di Strada, Italy, to win the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup 2023/2024 on Sunday.
USA pitchers blanked Japan in the Super Round but the Japanese lineup impressed in the final, combining 11 hits against Kelly Maxwell, Megan Faraimo and Ally Carda,
“After the Super Round game, I told my players that I saw too many big swings and that they needed to look more for contact,” said head coach Reika Utsugi. “I also told them I believed their best effort would be enough to win.”
Utsugi started Miu Goto and relieved her with veteran Yukiko Ueno after five innings.
“I needed the younger pitcher to start such an important game, but I knew she may feel the pressure or get tired. Having Ueno ready made everybody relax, including Goto and me.”
Miu Goto has pitched over 22 innings in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2024.
“I work hard every day to be well prepared. After every game, I have my routine to get to the next game in the best condition possible.”
The USA bats got to Goto in the first inning, scoring one run. They would not add any in the next four innings.
“I regret allowing them a run in the first. When I got the third out, I said to myself that the goal was to keep them at one. I think that control and spin on the ball were what made me…
