The following information was provided courtesy of the WBSC.

World ranked No. 2 Japan, No. 3 Puerto Rico, No. 6 Netherlands, No. 7 Italy, No. 11 China, and No. 15 Peru wrapped up action in the WBSC U-19 Women’s Softball World Cup 2024 Group B that began on Wednesday to determine the two teams that would advance to play in the World Cup to be held in Dallas next year from August 29 to Sept 2, 2025.

With the top two teams punching a ticket to the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2025, Japan and China had already confirmed their places in the Finals on Saturday but on Sunday it was for the honor of who remained unbeaten in the tournament.

Group A teams that advanced earlier (in July) were Chinese Paipei and Czechia; click HERE to read about how they advanced.

Group C, featuring Australia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Phillipines and USA, will face off in Dallas, Texas from August 29 to Sept. 02, 2024

Japan & China Punch Tickets

On the final day of the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup 2024, Group B, the Netherlands defeated Italy in the team’s final game while Japan beat China in the game between the undefeated sides.

The WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup 2024 Group B tournament in Pingtan, China concluded on Sunday with just two games – the Netherlands beating Italy in a 3-2 thriller while Japan were too good for China, winning 21-2 in the game between the undefeated sides – which completed Opening Round play.

Due to the weather disruptions throughout the week – with the first day rained out and a number of games postponed – all games since Game #7 were played over five innings while the tournament schedule only allowed for the Opening Round to be completed with all teams having completed the round-robin.

🏆🥎 It’s a wrap in Pingtan. Check out the tournament bracket. #SoftballWorldCupWU18 pic.twitter.com/MQyxzfItrA

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 18, 2024

The Showdown of the Two Best Teams in Group B, Japan & China

Japan and China played the final game of the Group B games with an undefeated record of 4-0, and both teams sent their ace to the mound in the hope of maintaining the perfect record.

Japan has been a powerhouse on the field, as recognized by all head coaches from the five other teams. The 6-0 record against every other team in Group B during the past three editions of the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup also made Japan the favorite to advance to the Finals.

With Momoko Chinomi starting three games and maintaining a perfect ERA (0), Hiiro Taniguchi, Yumeka Kagen, and Kana Watanabe, among many other batters possessing productive stats with solid defense performances, Japan was regarded as an all-around team and the favorite to advance to the Finals.

China entered the Group B tournament as a team mixed with raw and seasoned talent. In addition to the young Yuyan Duan being a standout on the mound, China is known for its solid defense and timely offence. During the first four games, China committed no errors and was one of the only two teams (Japan) in Group B to display its superior defense.

During the tournament, Duan, the youngest player on the team, started all four games and collected three wins leading up to the showdown against Japan. “Of course, we are known for our defense, but her (Duan’s) presence on the mound does stabilize our defense behind her,” said China’s head coach Weigang Huang.

🏅 Congrats to Yuwa Shiota, the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Group B Most Outstanding Player!#SoftballWorldCupWU18 pic.twitter.com/oeZqqfZi9z

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 18, 2024

Japan Showcases Powerful Offense

In the tournament’s final game, Japan displayed their batting power behind their starter, Chinomi.

She pitched 3 and 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four before Sari Nagatomo replaced her in the final inning. Japan’s offense went all out in the fourth, as 22 batters went to the plate and drove in 16 runs, prompting China to go to their relievers before bringing Duan back to the game to close the inning with Japan securing the win 21-2.

“It’s a perfect opportunity for a young player such as Duan to get more experience,” said China’s head coach Huang.

“She did not have that much international game experience, and she will be our ace on the team heading to Dallas next year, and this is a good opportunity for her to get her feet wet,” said Huang.

Japan advance to the Finals!

👏 Congratulations!#SoftballWorldCupWU18 pic.twitter.com/Mh9mimAivT

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 18, 2024

China advance to the Finals!

👏 Congratulations!#SoftballWorldCupWU18 pic.twitter.com/4tkpetdL8k

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 18, 2024

Italy Threatened, but The Netherlands Holds On

The Netherlands and Italy, both with the record of 1-3, played their final game of the Opening Round in the hope of collecting a second victory.

The Dutch took a 3-0 lead after three innings, but Italy scored one run in the fourth to make it a two-run game at the time.

Italy made another comeback attempt in the bottom of the fifth, scoring one run to pull themselves closer to the Netherlands before the Dutch finally defeated Italy, 3-2, to collect their second win of the tournament.

🇳🇱 The Netherlands claim a 3-2 victory over Italy, finishing in fourth place in Group B!

🏆🥎 WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup - Group B#SoftballWorldCupWU18 pic.twitter.com/aFHPPQtB6L

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 18, 2024

Four In, Two to Be Decided

Four in for 2025—Chinese Taipei and Czechia from Group A and Japan and China from Group B—have made the Final Six so far.

The last two spots, from Group C, will be determined starting at the end of this month – from August 29 to Sept. 2, 2024 – as Australia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Philippines and USA — will take the fields to compete in Dallas.

Dallas will also be the place to be in exactly a year when the U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup will take place in late August/early September of 2025.

This will be the first time Dallas hosts a WBSC Softball World Cup of any category. USA has hosted the U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup (previously named Junior Women’s Softball World Championship and U-19 Women’s Softball World Cup) six times in the past, including:

• Fargo (North Dakota) 1985,
• Oklahoma City (Oklahoma) 1987,
• Normal (Illinois) 1995,
• Oklahoma City 2015,
• Clearwater (Florida) 2017
• Irvine (California) 2019.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball