Hannah Flippen's four RBIs power USA past Botswana

The world’s top-ranked USA faced today the lowest-ranked team in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup, Botswana (43), and as expected they defeated the Africans 15-0 in five innings of play. Olympic silver medallist Ali Aguilar homered for the defending World Champions while lefty Kelly Maxwell was credited with the win.

Offensively, four US hitters had a multi-hit afternoon, with Hannah Flippen collecting four RBIs. Aubrey Leach and Sahvanna Jaquish scored three runs each.

"It was great, I think that we scored in multiple ways. We punted the ball, we hit the long ball, so it was nice seeing our team score in different ways from different people. I have a lot of fun with my team," said Jaquish. 

Maxwell earned the win in three innings of work allowing one hit with eight strikeouts. Montana Fouts relieved for two innings, stricking out the six batters she faced.

"We're having fun out there, the coach told us when we came here to have fun. It's the experience of a lifetime and we want to enjoy it," said Botswana's captain, Magdeline Mabutho.

Botswana’s only hit was a single by Charity Isaac in the bottom of the first inning.

Botswana captain Magdeline Mabutho said the game went well for her team, especially in the beginning. "We managed to make them score one in the first three innings and I think that's an achievement," Mabutho said. "It's something we didn't see coming but it's something that we trained for and something we really wanted. The first three innings, I'm happy with them."