World No. 1 USA needed only five innings to shut out Np. 8 Netherlands, 7-0, and head to the World Championship Final against No. 3 Japan undefeated.
"We have been together as a group only since July 9," commented head coach Heather Tarr, "so we feel like we are just getting started. Tomorrow, it will be our last game as a group. We will try to do our best as a group."
US pitchers Ally Carda and Kelly Maxwell didn't allow a hit to the Dutch, who reached base five times on walks.
The defending champions offence combined ten hits, including two by the first two hitters who ffaced Dutch starter Lisa Hop. Nicole Bates led off the bottom of the first speeding to first for an infield hit. Hannah Flippen looked at a strike and was all over the second pitch she saw, turning it into a two-run home run in the right-field bleachers.
Lindsey Meadows replaced Hop in the bottom of the second. She walked Savannah Jaquish to lead off the frame. The US first baseman advanced on a wild pitch and reached third on Maya Brady's blooper to left field. Haylie Mc Cleney hit a two-RBI double to left field and advanced to third on an error. She scored on Bates sacrifice fly to extend the US lead to 5-0.
Kelly Maxwell took over for Carda in the top of the third.
The US relied on pinch hitters to score the two runs they needed to make it a five-innng game in the bottom of the fifth. Tiare Jennings singled and Rachel Garcia doubled to end the game
Coach Tarr wouldn't reveal if Megan Faraimo will face Japan on Saturday.
"We have a tough decision to make. We have four good pitchers, and we will sit down and go through our options tonight."
Tarr believes the Japanese running game may prove dangerous for the defending champions.
"They are very good at putting pressure on the opponent and even better when they can collect information."
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