The estimated crowd of 8,200 saw the United States beat Japan for the softball gold medal at the 2022 World Games in Hoover, Alabama.Michael Casagrande | mcasagrande@al.com
From heartache in an empty Tokyo stadium to a packed party, the United States softball team earned a degree of redemption on Wednesday night at Hoover.
With an estimated crowd of 8,200 chanting U-S-A, a short pitching popup chilled the United States’ 3-2 victory over Japan in the World Games final less than a year after the result was reversed at the Tokyo Olympics.
From her spot in center field, former Alabama Haylie McCleney sprinted to the infield in the finale of a tense rematch. USA and McCleney had to settle for the cash with a 2-0 loss to their rival last August, but the former Crimson Tide star played a big part in the revenge tour this week at the Hoover Met .
McCleney was named tournament MVP after going 8 for 15 with five RBIs and four runs scored. She went 1 for 3 in the title match.
“The Olympics were amazing and I’m really grateful to have had this experience, but to be able to win a gold medal, be declared world champion 20 minutes from my hometown, you can’t write it better than that,” said McCleney, a product of Morris, Alabama just north of Birmingham and a graduate of Mortimer Jordan High School.
McCleney threw a first single into the first half only to be reduced on a double play on the next at-bat.
Japan – winners of the United States in a 7-1 tune-up match last week in Oxford, Alabama – certainly had their opportunities. He left 10 batters on base through the first four innings, leaving the bases twice loaded as veteran USA starter Monica Abbott tied in as needed.
All three American runs came on a brace from No. 9 batsman Janae Jefferson, a University of Texas product. The sharp line into the gap from center left to center scored Bubba Nickles, Kinzie Hansen and Taylor Pleasants to the roar of the crowd.
Abbott allowed a run in the third before UCLA graduate Ally Carda entered in the fifth inning. Another came through that inning before Carda buckled to get strikeouts in seven of the nine strikeouts she recorded.
And after retiring the first two batters in the seventh, the pitcher caught a bloop just in front of the circle for the final out.
Alabama ace Montana Fouts was warming up in the sixth inning for a rush, but Carda found his rhythm and ended any comeback threat.
Fouts and McCleney commented on the energy felt by the home crowd as they doubled the capacity of Rhoads Stadium on the Alabama campus.
Most stayed during the medal ceremonies with more American chants echoing through the suburban stadium that houses the SEC baseball tournament. It was in these seats that McCleney grew up watching the Birmingham Barons play minor league baseball, never thinking she would one day be the star on that stage.
“I’m just thinking of me being 5 years old,” McCleney said with her gold medal wrapped around her neck. “I think the next kid that comes behind me might even come back to play at the Hoover Met one day for the United States. What a cool time for softball. People have to invest in it. People have to watch it. Look at the stadium tonight. The crowd, the energy, the commitment of our fans.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.
Note to readers: If you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a commission.
