JAPAN DEFEATS NETHERLANDS FOR YWC TITLE
2009-08-17

Yesterday in the Czech Republic the Easton Foundation Youth Softball World Cup wrapped up when Japan defeated the Netherlands in the gold medal game. The 11-nation fast pitch tournament for age 16-and-under girls had begun on August 9th.

The Dutch team had advanced to the title game versus Japan by defeating Puerto Rico, 5-4, in an eight-inning contest that left Puerto Rico with the bronze medals.

Having started the tournament with a big 8-2 win over the host team following Opening Ceremonies eight days ago, Puerto Rico went undefeated in round robin play (5-0) but after running their winning streak to six with an eleven-inning win over Canada, 11-10, to start the playoffs, suffered back-to-back defeats, at the hands of the eventual champions, 3-2, two days ago, and then yesterday’s one-run decision at the hands of the Netherlands.

Japan, meanwhile, was perfect throughout the tournament, finishing with an 8-0 won-lost record.

The silver medal finish for the Netherlands was a testimony to perseverance, after they ‘only’ finished third in their pool during round robin play, with a 3-2 record. They opened the playoffs against Italy, falling behind 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning but getting four runs of their own in the top of the sixth en route to a 4-2 triumph. The next day they quickly overcame an early 2-0 deficit and needed an extra inning but were able to get by Canada, 5-4. That night they again came out on the right end of a one-run decision, eliminating the Dominican Republic, 1-0.

That brought up yesterday’s third consecutive one-run playoff win when they topped Puerto Rico, but there would be no Hollywood finish as the Dutch ran out of luck and offense in dropping a one-sided affair to the Japanese.

Other countries not mentioned above that participated included China, Russia, South Africa, and Venezuela.