The U.S. Women’s National Team (WNT) came up short in Saturday’s Gold Medal matchup of the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), falling 6-1 to Japan in Castions Di Strada, Italy.

Japan takes home the Gold Medal and Team USA— which had beaten Japan 2-0 earlier in the week and had not given up a run in 28 innings—takes home Silver and Canada won Bronze.

The Red, White and Blue closes the tournament with a 5-1 record while outscoring its opponents 28-8. 

The U.S. offense struggled to come alive in today’s matchups with a combined five hits on the day, four of which came off the bats of Hannah Flippen (2-for-3) and Jessie Warren (2-for-4).

The U.S. pitching staff of Kelly Maxwell, Megan Faraimo and Ally Carda combined for six strikeouts in the matchup. 

The Eagles got on the board early, scoring their only run of the game in the bottom of the first after a series of singles from Flippen, Warren and Lorenz plated one to put the U.S. on top, 1-0.

Team Japan quickly answered back in the top of the second with a series of base hits that allowed Japan to take the lead, 2-1.

The top of the fourth saw four more runs cross the plate for Japan after stringing together four hits in the inning to widen their lead, 6-1. Despite putting runners on base in the final two innings, the U.S. was unable to muster any runs. 

The U.S. will bring home the silver medal to clinch its 17th medal placement since the event’s inception – only placing out of the Top 3 teams on one occasion (1982 – fourth place) throughout the last 59 years.

Saturday’s silver medal marks the program’s fifth silver medal, while Team USA improves its overall World Championship record to 185-21. 

The Red, White and Blue posted an overall 5-1 record at the 2024 WBSC World Cup Finals – highlighted by four straight shutout victories and one no-hitter.

The Eagles remained strong on offense throughout the tournament, compiling a .294 batting average and a combined 42 hits while outscoring its opponents 28-8.

Leading the U.S. through the tournament was Flippen with a .538 batting average, followed by Jessie Warren (.444) and Maya Brady (.375).

The U.S. pitching staff of Carda, Megan Faraimo, Garcia and Maxwell held steady throughout six games — totaling 48 strikeouts while giving up only eight earned runs.

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Here are video highlights of the WBSC Championship

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USA Team Leaders in Title Game

• Former Oklahoma pitcher Kelly Maxwell (Friendswood,TX) started for Team USA going 2 innings with 3K’s. She gave up 4 hits and 2 runs, 1 earned.
• Former UCLA pitcher Megan Farimo (Vista, CA) pitched 1.2 innings allowing 4 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. Farimo struck out 1 on the day.
• Former UCLA pitcher Ally Carda closed out the game pitching 3.1 innings, striking out 2. Carda gave up 3 hits and no runs.
• Former Utah Ute Hannah Flippen (Bonita, CA) went 2 for 3 on the day scoring the only run for the USA
• Former Florida State Seminole Jessie Warren (Tampa Bay, FL) went 2 for 4
• Former Florica Gator Amanda Lorenz (Moorpark,CA) went 1 for 2 with an RBI

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USA Starting Line Up:

• Nicole (Sis) Bates (SS)  – Ceres, CA – College / Washington
• Hannah Flippen (2B) – Bonita, CA – College / Utah
• Jessie Warren (3B) – Tampa Bay, FL – College / Florida State
• Dejah Mulipola (C) – Anaheim, CA – College / Arizona
• Amanda Lorenz (LF) – Moorpark, CA – College / Florida
• Jocelyn Alo (DP) – Hauula, HI – College / Oklahoma
• Maya Brady (RF) – Thousand Oaks,CA – College / UCLA
• Rachel Garcia (1B) – Palmdale, CA – College / UCLA
• Haylie Mc Cleney (CF) – Morris, AL – College / Alabama
• Kelly Maxwell (P) – Friendswood, TX – College / Oklahoma
• Megan Farimo (RP) – Vista, CA – College / UCLA
• Ally Carda (RP) – Elk Grove, CA – College / UCLA
  
  

USA Softball Post-Game Quotes by Head Coach Heather Tarr

• “Today’s game was clearly all in favor of Japan. They made the necessary adjustments to be better today versus us than they were in the Super Round. We weren’t at our best on defense, pitching and offensively.”
• “Hannah Flippen and Haylie McCleney were able to get on base for us. It was great to score first with the clutch hit by Lorenz. Carda came in and gave us a chance to get back in the game offensively.”
• “In these short seasons for our teams are valuable lessons. We take away a lot of experience playing in the pool rounds, the super rounds and then for the finals. Its winner take all for the finals, so how you learn to move from first rounds to the next have a lot to do with your ability to be at your best and win the last game played.  Our talent pool is tremendous. This summer we were able to get approximately 32 women very critical experience playing at the highest level possible, the Elite Team playing in Japan, and the Women’s World Cup team gaining valuable time together learning and growing in the international game.”

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Box Score

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By the Numbers

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Team USA Schedule & Results

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Team USA Roster

COACHES