TOKYO, Japan (October 7, 2024) — The 2024 USA Softball of Southern California (USAS SoCal) x Tokyo Exchange Event concluded with the U-18 SoCal All-Star squad falling to Metro Tokyo in two hard-fought matchups. After the cancellation of Game 1 due to inclement weather, both teams utilized the opportunity for skill-building practice and enjoyed a day of cultural exchange and camaraderie.
On Saturday, October 6, the series finally kicked off with Game 2. Despite outhitting their opponents 5-4, the SoCal All-Stars were narrowly defeated 3-4. Notable performances included Sacha Zalamea, who recorded two hits, and Soleil Luna, who contributed two RBIs with a 1-for-3 effort at the plate. Cate Medvitz showed excellent plate discipline, drawing two walks in the contest.
In the final game on Sunday afternoon, the SoCal squad came out strong, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a sac-fly from Luna and a single from Janelle Rillo-Figueroa. Despite solid efforts from Luna, Rillo-Figueroa, and a 2-for-3 performance from Zalamea, Metro Tokyo rallied, scoring eight runs on 10 hits to secure an 8-2 victory, overcoming the early two-run deficit.
With the SoCal All-Stars finishing the event with an 0-2 record, the team looks forward to rebounding at the 2025 Exchange Event in Los Angeles, California. While the results were not in their favor, the athletes gained invaluable experience and fostered a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture, forming lasting friendships with their Tokyo counterparts.
USAS SoCal will soon announce the dates for the 2025 High Performance Program (HPP) events, which will include the selection of the 2025 USAS SoCal All-Star team that will host Metro Tokyo in Los Angeles in the fall of 2025.