Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
(USA Clinches Fifth Straight U-18 Women’s Softball World Title
Oklahoma City: Team USA captured their fifth consecutive WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Championship, defeating Japan 7-2 in a thrilling final to continue their dominant streak on home soil.
After falling behind 2-0 early, the Americans stormed back with seven unanswered runs to seal another world title. Payton Westra led the offence with three RBIs, while Aspen Boulware went 2-for-3. In the pitching circle, Caroline Stanton delivered three scoreless innings in relief, helping her team secure victory.
With this win, World No. 2 USA extended their remarkable run to 48 straight wins, remaining unbeaten through the last four tournaments. “Every time you wear those USA letters, you carry the legacy of those before you,” said head coach Kyla Holas. “Our players embraced that pressure and turned it into motivation.”
This marks the ninth overall U-18 world title for the United States and the 12th championship final matchup between Japan and the USA. The Americans have now defeated Japan seven times in title games.
Pitcher Caroline Stanton, who earned the win, said, “It’s something you dream of as a kid. I’m so happy and proud of this team.”
The USA remains the only nation to medal in every edition of the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup, now boasting 15 total medals — nine gold, five silver, and one bronze. Japan followed with their 14th podium finish.
In the championship game, Japan took a 2-0 lead in the third inning before USA rallied back. A key fielding error by Japan opened the door for a three-run inning, capped by Addyson Sheppard’s clutch single. The Americans later added insurance runs on a wild pitch and a bases-clearing double by Westra.
“This entire week, we’ve backed each other up,” Stanton said. “When your teammates always have your back, it makes moments like this even more special.”
Coach Holas credited both her pitchers for executing the game plan: “We wanted to challenge Japan with different looks and keep them guessing. Both of our pitchers did exactly that.”
With another dominant performance, Team USA reaffirmed their position as the gold standard in women’s youth softball, continuing a legacy of excellence that shows no sign of slowing down.
