UOZU, JAPAN -- Elon University head softball coach Patti Raduenz and the USA Baseball Women’s National Team (WNT) could not overcome Japan’s seven-run fifth inning in the Women’s World Series gold medal game. The Americans took home the silver medal after falling 13-4 to the host team. The Women’s National Team will travel home to Lynn, Massachusetts, for a few days of training before departing to Edmonton, Canada for the IBAF Women’s World Cup next week.

Team USA scored three runs in the top of the first but the lead would prove to be Team USA’s only advantage of the game, however, as one additional run in the second was the final run the WNT would push across. Japan’s 12 hits led to two big innings, as the Japanese scored five runs in the first and seven more in the fifth.

Raduenz went 1-for-3 from the plate and tallied 11 putouts and one assist at first base.

Team USA advanced to the finals after defeating Canada 3-2 in the semifinal game. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Kim Braatz-Voisard's shot through right field drove in the winning run.

Raduenz's fielder's choice in the bottom of the first drove in the run that tied the ball game at 1-1. Along with her RBI, Raduenz also tallied eight putouts at first base.

Raduenz hit .250 for the tournament with four hits, two doubles and two RBIs. She tallied 35 putouts with three assists and no errors at first base. Raduenz is only one of two players that has played every inning at the same position, remaining at first base and batting clean up.

Team USA will open the World Cup with Australia on July 31. The game can be followed at 9 p.m. EST at USA Baseball.

--ELON--