Granger Sets Strikeout Record in U.S. Win

Michele Granger of Valencia High School broke the tournament record for strikeouts Wednesday as the United States won three games in the Junior Girls World Fast Pitch Softball Championship.

In a morning game, the United States’ Yvette Hernandez drove in the game-winning run and Granger struck out 10 after she entered in the third inning as the U.S. team edged New Zealand, 2-1.

Granger’s 10 strikeouts gave her 49 for the tournament, eclipsing the old tournament record of 46 set by Lisa Ishikawa of the United States in 1981.

Granger struck out 11 more as the U.S. team beat Canada, 2-1, later in the day. Granger has 60 strikeouts in 31 innings.

Missy Coombes hit a solo home run to right field in the sixth inning for a 2-0 U.S. lead. Canada scored once in the last inning, but stranded the tying run when Granger ended the game with a strikeout.

The U.S. team (7-1) also defeated Mexico Wednesday, 13-0. The Americans will face China (8-0) today.

China’s Xie Ying Mei threw a five-inning perfect game Wednesday in China’s 17-0 victory over Mexico. Xie struck out seven in the game, which was stopped after five innings because of the 10-run rule.