Devon Park was truly the home of USA Softball Sunday night with the stands full of red, white and blue as the U.S. Women’s National Team (WNT) and the U.S. Women’s Elite Team faced off for a shot at the championship game of the 2026 USA Softball International Cup, presented by Mercy.

The WNT came away with the 6-2 victory against the Elite Team, securing their spot in today’s 7 p.m. CT gold medal game against Japan, while the Elite Team will play Canada in the third-place game at 3 p.m. CT.

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WOMEN’S ELITE TEAM vs WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM: WNT 6, ELITE 2

The WNT jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first when Maya Brady homered to left field on the team’s first at-bat of the game.

The Elite Team would tie things up in the top of the third with a double to left field from Ana Gold, bringing Aleena Garcia across home plate to make it 1-1.

Regaining the lead, the WNT scored three in the bottom of the third, thanks to a two-run single from Tiare Jennings and a fielder’s choice from Jayda Coleman that forced a fielding miscue, bringing the lead to 4-1.

The WNT scored its final two runs of the game in the bottom of the sixth with Megan Grant blasting a home run to center field, bringing Coleman home with her for a 6-1 advantage.

Morgan Zerkle delivered an RBI-single in the seventh to narrow the lead to 6-2, but the WNT threw out the trailing runner on the play to seal the victory.

The WNT collected nine hits in the win, led by Maya Brady, who went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Aubrey Leach also recorded a multi-hit performance, finishing 2-for-3, while Dejah Mulipola, Jocelyn Erickson, Jennings, Coleman, Alyssa Brito and Grant each added a hit.

Jennings and Grant each posted two RBIs in the matchup.

Lexi Kilfoyl got the start in the circle for the WNT, allowing just one run over 4.2 innings while striking out four. Karlyn Pickens tossed 1.2 innings of relief, fanning two batters, while Kelly Maxwell entered in the seventh to record the final two outs and secure the victory for the WNT.

The Elite Team combined for six hits on the day, with Zerkle turning in the only multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Additionally, Ana Gold, Baylee Klingler, Aleena Garcia and Taylor Shumaker each posted a hit in the matchup. In the circle, Megan Faraimo pitched 2.2 innings for the Elite Team before NiJaree Canady took over in the third to finish out the game.

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Participating Countries:

Group A: No. 1 Japan (1-0), U.S. Women’s Elite Team (1-0), No. 5 Chinese Taipei (0-1), No. 42 American Samoa (0-1)

Group B: No. 2 United States (1-0), No. 4 Canada (1-0), No. 8 China (0-1), No. 11 Australia (0-1)