Action continued at the tournament in Irvine ©USA Softball

The first and second string home sides, respectively USA Red and USA Blue, underlined the strength of their challenge in the inaugural USA Softball International Cup at Irvine, California as they extended their perfect records in the two main pools.

In Pool A, USA Red overcame the challenge of previously undefeated Scrap Yard Fast Pitch, an independent women's professional softball team based in Conroe in Texas, defeating them 11-5.

USA Blue improved their win record to 4-0 in Pool B with a 6-1 win over Canada, although they are matched at the top with the only other team to have remained unbeaten thus far at the Bill Barber Park - Japan, who also hold a 4-0 record.

Something will have to give tomorrow as the Pool B pacesetters meet.

USA Red and USA Blue both won their matches at the USA Softball International Cup in California to maintain their unbeaten runs along with Japan ©USA Softball
USA Red and USA Blue both won their matches at the USA Softball International Cup in California to maintain their unbeaten runs along with Japan ©USA Softball

Elsewhere in the tournament that runs until July 15, the Czech Republic brought their overall record to two wins and two losses as they beat Pool B opponents Venezuela 2-0.

And in the day's two final matches, held concurrently on fields one and two, Mexico beat Colombia 6-0 in Pool B, while in their Pool A match, China beat Chinese Taipei 9-1.

The event is considered a key warm-up for August's World Championship which will also offer teams the chance to take their first step towards competing at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.