Maci Barnes and Makenzie Thomas lead USA to WBSC U-15 Women's Softball World Cup bronze medal
05/07/2025 3 Minute Read

Maci Barnes and Makenzie Thomas lead USA to WBSC U-15 Women's Softball World Cup bronze medal

Maci Barnes went the distance and blanked the Mexican lineup, Makenzie Thomas hit a three-run homer to break a 0-0 tie in the fourth.

Defending champions USA beat Mexico, 4-0, in the bronze medal game of the WBSC U-15 Women's Softball World Cup 2025, played in an electric atmosphere in Caronno Pertusella, Italy on Saturday.

Right-handed pitcher Maci Barnes blanked the Mexican offence with a no-hitter. She allowed only two walks and struck out 10 batters. It was a day to remember for the 15-year-old.

"It is [something to remember]," Barnes commented post-game. "We really wanted to play in that gold medal game, but since I take home a medal, no matter what, it still means a lot."

Barnes was very consistent in the strike zone. "First, you have to find out the umpire's strike zone. I mean, if you don't know that, you have nothing. Once I found it, I was there."

Makenzie Thomas put USA ahead with a towering three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth.

"I just knew I had to do something. We were in a tough situation," Thomas said. "We hadn't scored any run, so I knew I had to something for my team."

Thomas was all over Mexico's starter Raquel Pineda's fifth offering. She got the pitch she was looking for. "I was looking for something that was up and in my strike zone, and once I saw it, I knew I had to jump on it."

Thomas added: "It was a tough loss yesterday, but we knew we had to bounce back and win this one."

For USA, the bronze medal follows the gold they won in the inaugural edition in 2023 and is their sixth Softball World Cup bronze medal and 44th medal in total. For Mexico, the fourth place finish is one better than the fifth place they registered two years ago and represents their best finish in a WBSC Women's Softball World Cup as they still look for their first medal. Mexico has won four Men's Softball World Cup medals but yet to step on the podium in the women's events.

The Live Blog as it happened

USA starter Maci Barnes allowed a two-out walk to Alisson Gonzalez in the top of the first. Gonzalez became the first runner of the game.

Michaela Landers led off the bottom of the first against Raquel Pineda by slapping a double to left field, the first hit of the game. She wouldn't go beyond third. Pineda retired seven batters in order before allowing a two-out walk to Amiya Carrie in the bottom of the third. Carrie would not advance further.

The USA took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Ashley Bronowicz led off with a single to shallow right field. Khloe Williams doubled to centre field and brought Bronowicz to third.

Lucille Reis fouled a one-strike bunt attempt, then struck out looking. Allison Eicholtz slapped a roller to third base. She reached on a fielder's choice as Maleeya Valencia got the second out at home. Williams reached third on the play.

With Makencie Thomas at the plate, Eicholtz stole second. With a 2-2 count, Thomas was all over Pineda's fifth offering and turned it into a monstre home run to left field.

Pinch hitter Kyara Osuna walked to lead off the sixth. It was the first runner allowed by Barnes after 13 consecutive outs. The right-hander got out of the inning with a groundout and a strikeout.

Mexico called Jimena Palacios from the bullpen with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the sixth. The reliever walked Makenzie Thomas, extending the USA lead to 4-0. Palacios struck out Kyndall Johnson for the second out and got Audrey Riley on a pop to second to get out of the jam.

Barnes needed only seven pitches to retire the side in order in the bottom of the seventh.

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