The U.S. leapt on board in the first with six runs off five hits. Natasha Watley (Irvine, Calif.) led off for the team and got on base with a single to the pitcher. Crystl Bustos (Canyon County, Calif.) broke out of her hitting slump with a two-run homerun that nearly cleared the outer fence. Bustos, one of the top run producers on the team, entered the game hitting .222 with no extra base hits and no RBI. Two more runs were scored off RBI singles by Tairia Flowers (Tucson, Ariz.) and Andrea Duran (Selma, Calif.). With Duran on first after her single to left field, Lauren Lappin (Anaheim, Calif.) hit a homerun, her third of the tournament, over centerfield to give the U.S. a six run lead in the first.

The U.S. nearly doubled their runs in the second putting up 11 runs off 11 hits. Highlighting the inning was a three-run homerun off the bat off Flowers scoring Bustos who had an RBI single and Mendoza who singled to left field. Two runs were also scored off a single to right field by Bustos. In her second at bat of the inning, Flowers doubled to right center for her fifth RBI of the game.

Hollowell was the starting pitcher for the red, white and blue, earning her second win of the tournament Hollowell closed out the game with eight strikeouts, issuing only one walk.

The winner of the USA/Venezuela game will advance to play the winner of Japan vs. Australia at 6:00 pm PT. Continue to check out www.usasoftball.com for coverage of this event.