Montana Fouts delivered a commanding performance on Monday night, nearly pitching a perfect game to lead Team USA to a 2-0 victory over Japan in the 2026 USA Softball International Cup final at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
Fouts dominated the mound, retiring 18 consecutive batters through six innings. A leadoff single in the seventh inning ended her bid for perfection, but she maintained her composure to close out the game. Over 88 pitches, she amassed seven strikeouts as the American defense stood strong behind her, highlighted by a spectacular full-extension catch by Skylar Wallace in right field during the first inning.
Montana Fouts & Maya Brady Shine in Softball International Cup Final
The offensive effort was just enough to secure the win. Jayda Coleman got the scoring started in the second inning with a single and subsequent run. Later, in the fifth inning, Janae Jefferson hit a double off Japan’s reliever Yukiko Ueno, setting the stage for Maya Brady, who followed with a base hit up the middle to drive in the second run.
Japan’s starting pitcher, Miu Goto, held the US to a single run over four innings before veteran reliever Ueno, aged 44, took over on the mound. Despite her experience, neither could stifle the US offense long enough for Japan’s hitters to mount a comeback.