Maya Brady showcased a consistent bat throughout the WBSC Women’s Softball World Group event this week, but on Wednesday during the final against China, she brought out the firepower.
Brady hit three homers and drove in five of Team USA’s runs in the 7-0 victory over China. The win punched their ticket to the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Final 2027 in Australia. In the circle, Karlyn Pickens and Rachel Garcia split six innings of work for a combined no-hitter. Pickens struck out four and Garcia recorded six Ks.
Across six total games in the tournament, the USA pitching staff did not give up a run.
The red, white and blue jumped on the board early with a four-run spot in the first inning, both thanks to two-run home runs from Brady and Tiare Jennings. Brady homered the following inning again, this time a solo shot over the centerfield wall. She then ended the game early, launching her longest blast of the day, a 276-foot home run to right-center that brought the score to 7-0 and enacted the run-rule.
Brady finished the Group Oklahoma City event leading the team offensively, batting .647 and going 11-for-17 with five home runs in six games.
The road to LA28 continues for Team USA, who automatically earn a spot in the Games as the host country. The highest-placed team at the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals in 2027 earns a direct spot in the LA28 Olympics.
Savanna Collins is the Senior Reporter for the AUSL. You can follow her on Instagram @savvyco.
