(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
The World Games 2025 Women’s Softball: Strong Starts for USA, Netherlands, Canada, and Japan
The World Games 2025 Women’s Softball tournament got underway at the Xindu Better City Softball Arena in Chengdu, China, with four action-packed opening games. Fans were treated to thrilling performances as Netherlands and defending champions USA dominated Group A, while Canada and world No. 1 Japan impressed in Group B.
Group A Highlights
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USA 4-0 Chinese Taipei: Team USA kicked off their gold medal defense in style. Pitching ace Rachel Garcia was outstanding, delivering four hitless innings with four strikeouts. Tiare Jennings powered the offense, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored, while Janae Jefferson’s two-run single in the second inning sealed the early lead. Reliever Ally Carda closed the game with three shutout innings, allowing just two hits.
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Netherlands 3-1 China: The Netherlands spoiled the host nation’s start, sealing a solid win to take the early Group A lead alongside USA.
Group B Highlights
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Canada 11-9 Puerto Rico: In a high-scoring slugfest, Canada erupted for eight runs in the third inning to edge past Puerto Rico. The two sides combined for 26 hits and 20 runs in a thrilling opener. Kianna Jones, Erika Polidori, and Grace Messmer all recorded multiple hits, with Messmer and Natalie Wideman driving in three runs each. Puerto Rico’s Janelle Martinez shined with a 3-for-4 performance, two RBIs, and two runs scored.
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Japan 10-3 Australia: The top-ranked Japanese team showed their class, overpowering Australia with a dominant offensive display.
With the tournament heating up, all eyes will be on the next set of games as teams fight for a place in the knockout stage. Fans can expect more big hits, brilliant pitching, and nail-biting finishes in Chengdu.
