World Cup of Softball 2015: Schedule, Dates, Times, Live Stream, More
The World Cup of Softball is ready for its 10th installment, starting Monday, June 29 in Irvine, California.
A round-robin tournament between the eight teams involved will run from Monday's opener to Saturday, July 4, and the two best teams will face off in the final on Sunday, July 5.
Continue below for the full schedule of the competition's first round and a look at both of the United States' teams.
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| Date | Time (ET) | Team | Team |
| June 29 | 12 p.m. | Argentina | Puerto Rico |
| 2:30 p.m. | Venezuela | Puerto Rico | |
| 5 p.m. | Venezuela | Japan | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Argentina | USA Jr. Women | |
| 10 p.m. | Mexico | USA | |
| June 30 | 12 p.m. | Canada | Japan |
| 2:30 p.m. | Japan | Mexico | |
| 5 p.m. | Venezuela | Argentina | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Canada | USA Jr. Women | |
| 10 p.m. | Puerto Rico | USA | |
| July 1 | 12 p.m. | Mexico | Canada |
| 2:30 p.m. | Mexico | Venezuela | |
| 5 p.m. | Canada | Puerto Rico | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Argentina | USA | |
| 10 p.m. | USA Jr. Women | USA | |
| July 2 | 2:30 p.m. | Canada | Venezuela |
| 5 p.m. | Argentina | Mexico | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Puerto Rico | USA Jr. Women | |
| 10 p.m. | Japan | USA | |
| July 3 | 2:30 p.m. | Mexico | Puerto Rico |
| 5 p.m. | Japan | Argentina | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Venezuela | USA Jr. Women | |
| 10 p.m. | Canada | USA | |
| July 4 | 12 p.m. | Japan | Puerto Rico |
| 2:30 p.m. | Mexico | USA Jr. Women | |
| 5 p.m. | Canada | Argentina | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Venezuela | USA | |
| 10 p.m. | Japan | USA Jr. Women |
All games can be streamed live at TeamUSA.org
The United States is looking for its second consecutive championship in a competition they have dominated. Of the past nine World Cups, the United States has won gold in seven.
"Let's go #TeamUSA! Follow along with the World Cup of Softball at http://t.co/LuRcXQAeTs! pic.twitter.com/TvZEQ5e3d7
— ASA and USA Softball (@ASAUSASoftball) June 24, 2015"
Of the 18-woman roster, nine are still in college, including Michigan's Sierra Romero. This season in the NCAA, the junior infielder batted .449, 14th-best in the country, and smacked 22 home runs, which left her tied for 12th.
Her younger sister, Sydney, will be competing on the United States Junior Team. It's her first year with USA Softball.
Among the more experienced of the bunch is Raven Chavanne, who went 13-22 for a .591 average with nine RBI at last year's World Cup. Her three stolen bases led Team USA.
The pitching staff will be anchored by University of South Florida alum Sara Nevins. Last year, she went 2-0 with a minuscule .53 ERA. She recorded 20 strikeouts in 13.1 innings pitched in the tournament.
Usually the ones to challenge them, Japan are two-time winners of the tournament and four-time silver medalists. The only other teams to make the final in the history of the World Cup of Softball are Canada, who were silver medalists last year, and Australia, won silver in 2009 and 2012.
The United States Junior Team is made up of younger collegiate students and some that have not even made their way to college yet. One of the numerous standouts from the latter group is pitcher Kelly Barnhill, who will be attending the University of Florida. Last season, she set the Georgia high school state record with her 534 strikeouts.
Both United States teams will square off on Wednesday, July 1 at 7 p.m. ET.
Stats courtesy of TeamUSA.org
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