Granger Pitches One-Hitter to Lead U.S. to Softball World Championship

OKLAHOMA CITY — Michele Granger of Valencia High School pitched a one-hitter and struck out 17 and Julia Smith singled in the game’s only run in the 12th inning as the United States beat China, 1-0, Saturday night to win its first Junior Girls Softball World Championship title.

Smith’s single scored Erica Ziencina of Laguna Hills High School. Granger had eight victories and 97 strikeouts in 56 innings, setting tournament records in all three categories.

Japan won the initial world championship in 1981 and China won the next one, held in 1985. The United States finished second and third, respectively, in those tournaments.

In the third-place game Saturday afternoon, third baseman Liu Xuqing had three hits, including a home run, as China beat Japan, 6-0. Liu’s solo homer in the fourth inning was the first run of the game.