From left, Arizona freshmen Chelsea Goodacre, Shelby Pendley and Hallie Wilson were teammates on the U.S. junior national team. Photo from ASA Softball
Two Arizona Wildcats softball players helped the United States win the Junior Women’s World Championship on Saturday.
The U.S. team defeated Japan 4-1 in the gold medal game in Cape Town, South Africa.
Arizona freshman Hallie Wilson played centerfield and hit leadoff for Team USA — roles she is expected to fill this season for the Wildcats — and hit .440 for the event (12 of 25).
Wilson had a double, a triple, two home runs and stole two bases. She also walked eight times, giving her an on-base percentage of .571.
Cather Chelsea Goodacre mostly played in reserve. She was 4 of 10 with a home run, scoring four runs. She also stole a base.
Arizona freshman shortstop Shelby Pendley, who also made the U.S. junior team (19 and under), could not play because of an ACL injury suffered while playing in an exhibition game in the summer.
Team USA went 7-0 in pool play before defeating Australia 7-4 in the quarterfinal round. The U.S. team lost to Japan 9-0 in the semifinals, but worked its way to the gold medal game by beating Chinese Taipei in the bronze medal game.
The Americans were powered in the final game by a grand slam by Cheyanne Tarango (University of Tennessee) and the complete game of Lauren Haeger (Glendale Deer Valley High School, University of Florida).
Arizona State sophomore pitcher Dallas Escobedo went 4-0 in the tournament with a 2.37 ERA.