Bates lift Tarr, Team USA to gold medal game at Women’s Softball World Cup

Sis Bates had a stellar day to lift Team USA to the Women’s Softball World Cup final.

Team USA’s 7-0 five-inning victory over the Netherlands looked very familiar to a lot of wins that coach Heather Tarr has experienced during her time on Montlake with the Washington Huskies.

Shortstop Sis Bates had a great day out of the leadoff spot, going 2 for 2 with a run batted in on a sacrifice fly and a run scored to help lead Team USA to the gold medal game, where they will face off with Team Japan.

Bates was driven in on a two-run home run off the bat of former Utah star Hannah Flippen who opened the scoring in the first inning and started the rout for Tarr’s team. Oklahoma Sooners ace Kelly Maxwell worked the final three innings to finish off a combined no-hitter for Team USA, letting up 2 walks but striking out 4 batters.

This will be the second time the US and Japan will face off in the eight-team tournament, after meeting in the super round on July 18. Tarr’s team won that game 2-0 behind a stellar complete game performance from former UCLA star Megan Faraimo, who allowed 2 hits and struck out 8 batters.

Faraimo’s younger brother, Madden, has a connection to Washington too as the four-star recruit in the 2025 class took an official visit to Seattle on May 31 and currently has the Huskies among the top 4 schools he’s considering ahead of his college commitment.