Event Recap: U-18 USA Softball Team of Southern California Completes Two-Game Series in 2024 Tokyo Exchange Event (Oct. 11, 2024)
By Brentt Eads
October 11, 2024
Event Recap: U-18 USA Softball Team of Southern California Completes Two-Game Series in 2024 Tokyo Exchange Event (Oct. 11, 2024)
The following release is from USA Softball…
The 2024 Tokyo Exchange Event concluded this week with the U-18 SoCal All-Star squad falling to Metro Tokyo in back-to-back matchups.
Following the cancelation of Game 1 due to inclement weather, the two teams took advantage of the unfortunate conditions to sharpen their skills during practice, enjoying a fun-filled afternoon of cultural appreciation and camaraderie with the Metro Tokyo team.
On Day 2, the two squads finally got down to business with the series opener on Saturday, October 6 and the concluding game on Sunday, October 7.
Here’s a quick look at both games…
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GAME 1: Metro Tokyo 4, U-18 SoCal USA 3
Despite outhitting their opponents five hits to four, the SoCal All-Stars suffered a narrow 3-4 loss to Metro Tokyo in Game 2.
Key offensive performances included Sacha Zalamea, who recorded two hits in the matchup, while Soleil Luna tabbed two RBIs with a 1-for-3 performance at the plate. Cate Medvitz also contributed offensively, leading the team with two walks among SoCal’s seven free passes.
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GAME 2: Metro Tokyo 8, U-18 SoCal USA 2
Returning to action on Sunday afternoon for the third and final game of the exchange, the USA Softball of SoCal squad took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning – scoring on a sac-fly from Luna and a single from Janelle Rillo-Figueroa.
Despite strong performances at the plate from Luna and Rillo-Figueroa, along with a 2-for-3 performance from Zalamea, the Metro Tokyo team proved unshakable as they tallied eight runs on 10 hits, overcoming their two-run deficit for an 8-2 victory in the final matchup of the series.
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The USAS SoCal squad walked away from the event with an 0-2 record and will look to bounce back at the 2025 Exchange Event in Los Angeles, Calif.
Per a spokesman for the American squad:
“Although the USA Softball of SoCal All-Stars fell short in the 2024 event, the selected athletes gained a memorable experience while fostering a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture and lasting friendships.”
USAS SoCal will soon be announcing the dates for the 2025 HPP events.
These events will include the selection of the 2025 USAS SoCal All-Star team that will host the Metro Tokyo team in LA in the fall of 2025.
To learn more about the HPP or to get involved, visit USASoftball.com.
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The two articles below were ones published on Line Drive Softball prior to the games being played…
International News: The U-18 SoCal All-Star Team in Japan for 2024 Tokyo Exchange Event Series This Weekend
Published Oct. 5, 2024 on Line Drive Softball
The USA Softball of Southern California (SoCal) U-18 Women’s All-Star Team is in Tokyo this weekend to play three games against Metro Tokyo Softball. Photo: USA Softball.
The following information was sent out Friday in a release by USA Softball…
TOKYO, Japan (October 4, 2024) —The USA Softball of Southern California (SoCal) U-18 Women’s All-Star Team has arrived in Tokyo, Japan ahead of the 2024 LA x Tokyo Exchange Event slated for October 5-6.
U-18 Head Coach AJ Robinson
The SoCal squad is set to take on Metro Tokyo Softball in a three-game series – marking the first of two rounds of play for the two teams, with the second round scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, Calif. in 2025.
In celebration for softball’s return to the LA28 Olympic Games, the LA x Tokyo Exchange Event should prove to be fiercely competitive and will give the young athletes the opportunity to compete on an international level while strengthening the connection between the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the LA28 Games.
Game 1: Saturday, October 5 at 4:30p.m. JST (2:30 a.m. CT & 12:30 a.m. PDT) – Tokyo, Japan
Games 2 & 3: Sunday, October 6 at 10:00 a.m. JST (8:00 p.m. CT & 6:00 p.m. PDT) – Tokyo, Japan
NOTE: due to live streaming restrictions in Japan, USA Softball will be unable to provide live streaming for this event. To receive updates via live stats, please follow the SoCal U-18Women’s All-Star Team on GameChanger.
Through the 2024 Region 10 High Performance Program (HPP) Identifier in Irvine, Calif. — along with other regional HPP identifiers — USA Softball of SoCal has built an elite team of U-18 female athletes from Southern California.
One athlete — Camrynn Gordon — was named a top performer at the 2023 National Selection Event.
Here’s a post from her X (Twitter) account showing the arrival of the team in Japan:
Evaluated at a local HPP identifier, the select roster marks the first of its kind to advance to an international contest at the Grassroots level.
The HPP was established in 2020 with the goal of identifying an elite pool of athletes to train, compete, and represent USA Softball in domestic and international competitions.
Leading the SoCal Women’s U-18All-Star Team at the LA x Tokyo Exchange is AJ Robinson, who currently serves as the head coach of the Cal State-San Marcos softball program.
Joining Robinson in Tokyo are two members of the 2020 U.S. Olympic silver medal squad: Ali Aguilar and Rachel Garcia — giving the SoCal All-Star team a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from and play for elite members of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
The LA x Tokyo Exchange Event will bring the No. 1 and No. 2 world-ranked softball programs together following the exciting competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and marking the return of softball to the LA28 Olympics.
Line Drive Softball will have more news on this team and program soon… to learn more about the HPP or to get involved, visit USASoftball.com.
Event News: USA Softball Reveals SoCal U-18 Women’s All-Star Team to Compete In Tokyo Exchange Oct. 5-6
Published Sept. 15, 2024 on Line Drive Softball
USA Softball has announced the three coaches and 15 players who will compete on the SoCal U-18 Women’s All-Star Team at the Tokyo Exchange event the first weekend in October. Image courtesy of USA Softball.
USA Softball (Oklahoma City) issued the following release on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024….
USA Softball of Southern California (SoCal) has announced the athletes that will represent the U.S. at the 2024 USA Softball x Tokyo Exchange event slated for October 5-6 in Tokyo, Japan.
Selected from the 2024 High Performance Program (HPP) Region 10 Identifier in Irvine, Calif. along with additional identifiers, the 15-player roster will travel to Japan for an exchange series that will look to strengthen the connection between the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the LA28 Games.
Chris Drumm, the USA Softball of SoCal Commissioner.
“USA Softball SoCal is ecstatic to work with the selected athletes and coaches to compete at the highest level while in Tokyo,” said USA Softball of SoCal Commissioner, Chris Drumm.
“USA Softball of SoCal held a successful HHP event in July that allowed athletes to be evaluated at a national level and by our SoCal coaches, AJ Robinson and Ali Aguilar. We have a diverse group of elite athletes that are excited and extremely grateful for this opportunity. We look forward to seeing this talented team play together in Tokyo,” she added.
The exchange series will feature thrilling competition between the USA Softball of Southern California U-18 Women’s All-Star Team and Metro Tokyo Softball — with the first set of matchups set to take place in Tokyo, while a second round of games will be played in Los Angeles in 2025.
A result of the USA Softball HPP, the 15-player roster consists of athletes from Southern California including one athlete who was named a top performer at the 2023 National Selection Event (Camrynn Gordon).
Evaluated at a local HPP identifier, the selected roster marks the first of its kind to advance to an international contest at the grassroots level. The HPP was created in 2020 with the goal of identifying a pool of athletes to train, compete and represent USA Softball in domestic and international competitions.
The 2024 SoCal U-18 Women’s All-Star Team Coaches
Leading the SoCal U-18 Women’s All-Star Team at the Exchange event will be AJ Robinson, who currently serves as head coach of the Cal State-San Marcos softball program. Alongside him in Tokyo will be 2020 Olympic silver medalists Ali Aguilar and Rachel Garcia.
Name
Position
Hometown
Affiliation
AJ Robinson
Head Coach
Escondido, CA
Cal State-San Marcos (Head Coach)
Ali Aguilar
Assistant Coach
Orangevale, CA
USA Softball WNT
Rachel Garcia
Assistant Coach
Palmdale, CA
USA Softball WNT
The USA coaching staff includes AJ Robinson (middle) with assistants Rachel Garcia and Ali Aguilar. Photo courtesy of USA Softball.
“This is such an amazing opportunity, and we have a talented group of players that are ready to compete internationally and represent USA Softball and Southern California,” said Robinson.
“This roster shows the growth and success of the HPP program and the opportunities that USA Softball is bringing to the game for young players across the country,” he added.
“We have a short amount of time to prepare for this event, so we will work hard to help the players develop their skills and have an enjoyable experience. Rachel and Ali are amazing leaders, and the players are getting a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from and play for stars from the Women’s National Team.”
Continuing the excitement from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, these matchups join the No. 1 and No. 2 world-ranked programs in an effort to grow the sport of softball and celebrate its return to the Olympic Games.
To learn more about the HPP or to get involved, visit USASoftball.com.
