The world-ranked No. 2 U.S. Women’s National Team (WNT) kicked off the USA Down Under Series in dominant fashion with a 9–0 run-rule shutout (five innings) over the No. 10 Aussie Spirit in Brisbane, Australia.

Montana Fouts got the start in the circle, tossing nine K’s through 3.1 innings before Kelly Maxwell entered to record the final five outs — all via strikeout — with the duo combining for a no-hitter.

Aubrey Leach led the U.S. offense with a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate, tabbing the only multi-hit performance for Team USA, while seven additional batters also recorded hits in the win.

*** Click HERE to read our intro article published yesterday which included Teams USA and Australia going to the zoo.

Despite a quiet first inning, the Eagles got on the board in the bottom of the second following back-to-back base hits from Leach and Maya Brady, which set the stage for Erin Coffel to send a line-drive double to left field, putting the U.S. on top, 4-0, in the bottom of the second.

A wild pitch and defensive miscue from Australia allowed two more runs to cross, extending the U.S. lead, 6-0, in the same frame.

Leach added another run in the third with an RBI-single, while Hannah Flippen capped the scoring in the fourth with a double to the fence to plate the final two runs.

Maxwell shut the door in the fifth to secure the 9–0 run-rule victory in five innings.

Here’s how both teams did in Game 1…

BOX SCORE:

UPCOMING GAMES:

Team USA returns to action tomorrow… here are dates and times for the remaining games:

• Game 2: 1 at 2 p.m. local time/10 p.m. CT (Dec. 31) for Game 2 of the series,
• Game 3: 2 at 2 p.m. local time/10 p.m. CT (Jan. 1)
• Game 4: 3 at 11 a.m. local time / 7 p.m. CT (Jan. 2).

For schedule updates and game announcements, visit the official event page or follow @USASoftballWNT on X (formerly Twitter).

To learn more about the U.S. Women’s National Team program, visit USASoftball.com.