Live Updates World Games Softball Semifinals: Team USA vs. Australia

Updates, stats and analysis from the Hoover Met as Team USA tries to secure a spot in the gold medal game against Japan.

HOOVER, Ala. — A trip to the gold medal game against Japan is one the line Tuesday night at the Hoover Met between Team USA and Australia. 

The U.S team is undefeated so far in the 2022 World Games with wins over Italy, Chinese Taipei and Canada. The Eagles are outscoring opponents 23-2 in three games. 

Australia lost to Japan in the opening game, but finished out group play with wins against Mexico and Puerto Rico to reach the semifinals. 

Alabama's Haylie McCleney has started each game for Team USA in centerfield while also leading off the batting order. Current Alabama pitcher Montana pitched three innings of relief against Italy, striking out eight. Fouts did not appear in games two or three for Team USA.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network with Alabama softball radio play-by-play man Gray Robertson and former Alabama outfielder Kayla Braud on the call. 

Team USA Starting Lineup

1. Haylie McCleney- CF

2. Amanda Lorenz- LF

3. Charla Echols- 3B

4. Hannah Flippen- SS

5. Kinzie Hansen- C

6. Dejah Mulipola- DP

7. Taylor Pleasants- SS

8. Bubba Nickles- RF

9. Janae Jefferson- 2B

Starting pitcher- Ally Carda

BE SURE TO REFRESH YOUR BROWSER FOR THE VERY LATEST UPDATES!

(latest updates at the top)

Live Updates

FINAL: Team USA 5, Australia 0 

Top 7

• A ground ball ends it, and Team USA wins the game with its third shutout in four games. 

• Make that five straight strikeouts for Fouts. 

• Stop me if you've heard this one before, but Fouts opens the frame with another strikeout. 

Bottom 6

END 6: USA 5, Australia 0

• A popup ends the inning, and this one will have to go to 7. 

• Echols puts a charge in one, but it's about 12 feet short of the fence. Two outs. 

• Back to back walks to McCleney and Lorenz have two USA runners on with one out. 

Top 6

MID 6: USA 5, Australia 0

• Fouts strikes out the side in the sixth. She gets the final batter swinging with the rise. 
• 11 of the 12 outs recorded by Fouts in the World Games have come via strikeout. 

• Back to back strikeouts for Fouts. 

• Fouts picks up where she left off on Sunday, striking out the first batter she faces. 

• Montana Fouts is back in the circle for Team USA for the first time since Sunday night against Italy. 

Bottom 5

END 5: USA 5, Australia 0

• USA can't take advantage of the opportunity with a strikeout and popout.

• Mulipola draws a one-walk and both runners move into scoring position on a passed ball.

• Leadoff walk for Flippen.

• If Team USA can score two runs this inning, it will be the team's third straight run-rule win. 

Top 5

MID 5: USA 5, Australia 0

• Another 1-2-3 inning for Carda with three quick groundballs. 

Bottom 4

END 4: USA 5, Australia 0

• While Echols gets caught in a rundown at first, McCleney comes in to score from third and pushes the lead to five runs. USA 5, Australia 0
• McCleney is now hitting .583 with five RBIs and four runs scored across four games in the World Games. 

• Echols walks to put runners on the corner for Flippen.

• McCleney moves to third with two outs on a groundball from Lorenz. 

What a moment for Haylie McCleney!

She just hit a bases clearing double for Team USA in the Semi Finals of @TheWorldGames in her home state of Alabama 🇺🇸

She's now 3 for 3 with 3 RBIs 💥 pic.twitter.com/BS0sB5FHKa

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) July 13, 2022

• Haylie McCleney busts this game wide open with a bases clearing double. USA leads 4-0.

• Jefferson draws a walk to load the bases for the top of the lineup. 

• Nickles picks up her first hit of the World Games with a single through the left side, and Team USA has two runners on with one out. 

• Pleasants reaches base for the first time with a one-out walk. 

Top 4

MID 4: USA 1, Australia 0

• Carda is starting to find her rhythm with another three up, three down inning. She adds two more stirkeouts in the frame and is up to six in the game. 

Bottom 3

END 3: USA 1, Australia 0

• A groundout ends the frame and strands the runners. 

• Flippen draws a two-out walk to put two on with two outs for Hansen.

• The hit and run keeps USA out of the double play. McCleney moves to second, and Lorenz is out at first. 

• McCleney leads off the bottom of the third with her second hit of the game. 

Top 3

MID 3: USA 1, Australia 0

• Carda gets her first 1-2-3 inning of the game. 

Bottom 2

END 2: USA 1, Australia 0

• Jefferson grounds out, and the inning is over. 

• Nickles draws a two-out walk for USA's first baserunner of the inning. 

Top 2

MID 2: USA 1, Australia 0

• And nothing comes of the two-out hit as a groundball ends the half inning. 

• After getting the first two outs quickly, a hard hit ball to third gives Australia a two-out baserunner. 

Bottom 1- USA batting

END 1: USA 1, Australia 0

• A flyout to center ends the frame. 

• Flippen lines one out to center field, and McCleney comes in to score and give Team USA the early lead. USA 1, Australia 0

• A ground ball moves McCleney over to second with one out. 

• McCleney slaps one through the left side for a leadoff single. 

Top 1- Australia batting

MID 1: USA 0, Australia 0

• A strikeout looking gets Carda out of the frame and strands the bases loaded.

• Back to back walks load the bases for Australia. 

• Another walk puts two Australian runners on with two outs. 

• A groundout moves Cox into scoring position with two outs. 

• Carda bounces back with a strikeout for the first out. 

• Cox battles through a lengthy at-bat to draw the leadoff walk. 

• The first pitch from Carda is a strike, and this game is underway. 

Pregame

• Team USA is the designated home team, and will be in the field to start. 

• Ally Carda is in the circle for the Eagles. She started game one against Italy and threw four scoreless innings. 

• Team USA is back in the all navy uniforms with red socks. 

Team Australia Starting Lineup

1. Michelle Cox- RF

2. Shannon Keevers- LF

3. Tamieka Whitefield- 2B

4. Taylah Tsitsikronis- 1B

5. Jade Wall- CF

6. Georgia Hood- DP

7. Clare Warwick- 3B

8. Stacy McManus- SS

9. Belinda White- C

Starting Pitcher- Ellen Roberts