World Cup of Softball 2015 Results: Wednesday Scores, Highlights, Standings

The running thread thus far at the 2015 World Cup of Softball is that Japan and the United States national team are operating at a different level than everyone else. 

This isn't shocking to anyone who has followed this event in the past. Japan and the United States have combined to win all nine World Cup of Softball tournaments since its inception in 2005, and the pair has been the top two teams in the standings six times. 

Through five combined games thus far, Japan and the United States have outscored their opponents 41-6. The six other teams have their work cut out to catch them ahead of the July 5 final day of play. 

Wednesday Results

Matchup	Result/Start Time (ET)
Mexico vs. Canada	Canada def. Mexico, 9-4
Mexico vs. Venezuela	Mexico def. Venezuela, 9-3
Canada vs. Puerto Rico	Canada def. Puerto Rico, 11-2
Argentina vs. United States	USA def. Argentina, 10-0
United States Juniors vs. United States	USA def. USA Juniors, 3-2

Standings

Pos.	Team	Record
1	Japan	3-0
2	United States	3-0
3	Canada	2-2
4	Puerto Rico	2-2
5	United States Juniors	1-2
6	Mexico	1-3
7	Venezuela	1-3
8	Argentina	0-4

Canada def. Puerto Rico, 11-2

Canada completed an excellent Wednesday with an 11-2 drubbing of Puerto Rico, getting their first two wins of the World Cup after knocking off Mexico earlier in the day. 

After a quiet first inning for Canada's bats, they stormed to life in the second inning and didn't let up until the game ended. They scored at least one run in the final four innings, including four in each of the last two. 

Making the offensive output even more impressive for Canada is they only had one home run off the bat of Megan Timpf. She made it count, as there were two runners on base, and did it coming off the bench. 

Timpf finished the game with five RBI as part of her 2-for-3 game. Puerto Rico starter Brittany Hitchcock took the loss, but the defense behind her was abysmal committing five errors. As a result, six of the 11 runs she allowed were unearned. 

Canada starter Jocelyn Cater was effective in her four innings, giving up four hits and two runs to go along with four strikeouts. It wasn't a dominating effort, but good enough to get the win thanks to the offensive barrage. 

Mexico def. Venezuela, 9-3

After a rough loss to open play on Wednesday, Mexico found itself against Venezuela with a 9-3 win thanks to a huge six-run sixth inning. 

The two teams were tied at three after the top of the sixth thanks to Venezuela getting an RBI groundout from Yaicey Sojo and RBI single from Denisse Fuenmayor. 

Fortunately for Mexico, the flood gates would come open in the bottom of the sixth. Adriana Perez broke the stalemate with a solo homer to lead off the inning and Brigitte Delponte capped the scoring with a three-run homer. 

Mexico starter Cheyanne Tarango tossed a complete game, allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks over seven innings. She only had one strikeout, but the defense behind her was good enough to handle the extra load. 

Venezuela didn't get any relief from Jamee Juarez after she took over for starter Maria Gomez needing to record one out in the sixth. Juarez allowed five runs on four hits and one walk before getting that elusive third out. 

Canada def. Mexico, 9-4

Canada picked up right where it left off on Tuesday, scoring three runs in three different innings to knock off Mexico 9-4. 

The Canadians came out of the gate on fire, dropping a three spot in the first inning against Mexico starter Erika Bennett thanks to Erika Polidori's three-run homer. Mexico would cut into that deficit with a run in the bottom of the first, but Canada added three more runs in the second inning to take a 6-1 lead. 

Things were largely put on cruise control for Canada after that until the fourth inning, when Mexico scored two runs to make it a 6-4 game. The top of the sixth would provide the final cushion needed for Canada to come out on top, as Polidori capped a three-run inning with an RBI single. 

Neither team got much from its starters. Bennett and Jenna Caira only lasted 3.1 innings, but the relievers proved to be the difference. Estela Pinon allowed three earned runs on five hits in 3.2 innings for Mexico. 

Sara Groenewegen was masterful for Canada, pitching 3.2 hitless innings with three strikeouts and one walk. 

Canada will look to keep the momentum going with a matchup against Puerto Rico later on Wednesday. Mexico, still searching for its first win, remains on the field after this game to take on Venezuela.