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International News: Team USA Defeats Australia 8-0 to Go Undefeated in the USA Down Under Series with Fourth Straight Rule-Rule Shutout (January 3, 2026)

By Brentt Eads

January 3, 2026

The Team USA pitching staff didn't give up a run in four games and only two hits in 21 innings. Pictured (l-r): Megan Faraimo, Montana Fouts, Karlyn Pickens and Kelly Maxwell. Photo: USA Softball.

International News: Team USA Defeats Australia 8-0 to Go Undefeated in the USA Down Under Series with Fourth Straight Rule-Rule Shutout (January 3, 2026)

The Red, White and Blue proved dominant once again, closing out the 2025 USA Down Under Series undefeated (4-0) with an 8-0 run-rule victory (five innings).

Alyssa Brito turned in the team’s only multi-hit performance (2-for-2) and was one of four Eagles to record a double in the matchup, along with Erin Coffel, Tiare Jennings and Hannah Flippen.

Additionally, Brito and Sierra Sacco each blasted their second home run of the series after going deep in yesterday’s contest.

In the circle, the U.S. pitching staff of Megan Faraimo and Karlyn Pickens combined for seven strikeouts while allowing just one hit.

After a quiet first inning, Jennings sparked the offense in the top of the second with a lead-off double that allowed Kayla Kowalik to drive her home and give the U.S. a 1-0 lead.

Back-to-back doubles from Coffel and Flippen in the top of the third tacked on two more to extend the lead, 3-0, before Brito delivered a three-run blast to center field to make it 6-0.

Sacco added a lead-off solo shot in the top of the fourth, while Brito pushed the final run of the game across in the top of the fifth with a double to right.

Pickens sealed the run-rule victory in the bottom of the frame, striking out all three batters faced.

With a perfect 4-0 record, the Eagles dominated the 2025 USA Down Under Series — outscoring Australia 38-0 while posting a .340 team batting average. The Red, White and Blue won all four games by way of the run-rule, tallying 32 hits and 36 RBIs along the way.

Brito led the offense with a .714 batting average and was named the Series MVP, followed by Flippen (.556), Aubrey Leach (.500) and Morgan Zerkle (.375).

The Eagles also blasted five home runs throughout the series, highlighted by two apiece from Brito and Sacco, while Flippen added one.

In the circle, the U.S. pitching staff of Faraimo, Montana Fouts, Kelly Maxwell and Pickens combined for 38 strikeouts while allowing no runs and just two hits across 21 innings pitched.

Fouts led the Eagles with 14 strikeouts, followed by Maxwell (9), Pickens (8) and Faraimo (7).

Here’s the box score from Game 4…

Here are the final scores from the four games played in the 2025 USA Down Under Series:

 

For schedule updates and game announcements, visit the official event page or follow @USASoftballWNT on X (formerly Twitter).

To learn more about the U.S. Women’s National Team program, visit USASoftball.com.

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