A dominant performance from start to finish
Team USA kicked off the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup with a convincing 22-2 victory over Korea on Wednesday at Rivets Stadium in Loves Park, Illinois. The game ended after five innings due to the mercy rule, with the Americans hitting five home runs and collecting 13 total hits.
Olivia Pichardo stood out with two home runs and four RBIs. Her performance powered a dynamic offense that gave Korea no chance from the outset.
Shortstop Jamie Brown was unstoppable at the plate. She went 3-for-3, belted a home run, and drove in seven runs, overwhelming the Korean defense.
Strong pitching and a stacked lineup
Starting pitcher Jillian Albayati set the tone by striking out three batters in the first inning. She worked three innings, surrendering just one earned run while fanning five. Sarah Lessig took over for the final two innings and held Korea scoreless, adding four strikeouts.
Multiple players contributed from the heart of the lineup. Kelsie Whitmore, Naomi Ryan, and Michele Schaber each added home runs, helping Team USA look like the second-best team in the world behind reigning champion Japan.
Road to the 2027 World Cup finals
The competition runs through two group stages, one in Rockford and the other in Taiwan. The top three teams from each stage will advance to the 2027 World Cup Finals next year, also to be played in Rockford.
On opening day, Canada and Australia both won. Canada beat Hong Kong, China 13-0, and Australia defeated Mexico 12-2. Team USA is scheduled to face Mexico on Thursday at 7 p.m.