TAFUNA, SAMOA – The WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Oceania qualifier took place between November 5-7 and featured #7 Australia, #23 New Zealand, and host American Samoa. After three rounds of a round-robin series, the top two teams would advance to the Women's Softball World Cup group stage next year. Menlo College's very own Grace Tuiteleleapaga was a starter on the American Samoan national team for their first national tournament appearances in program history! 

Tuiteleleapaga Starts for U-18 Samoan Softball National Team

Grace Tuiteleleapaga recently joined the Oaks softball team as a 5'2 right-handed infielder from Avondale, Arizona. Grace attended Centennial High School and earned the 3-year Varsity Award through her high school program. The freshman has competed with the Samoan National team for some years and started at third base in all 4 games played. Across the 4 games played, Grace totaled 4 hits and a run scored. In Samoa's first match against New Zealand, Tuiteleleapaga went 1-2 and doubled to center field in the top of the 3rd inning. The second time facing off New Zealand Grace went 2-3 with two singles, one up the middle and one to right field. During the final game of the series for Samoa against Australia, Grace singled to right field to go 1-2 and finish the tournament with a .500 slug percentage. As for fielding she totaled a .778 field percentage off of 20 plays made. It was a competitive Softball World Series and Grace showed some outstanding moments for the Samoan National team! 

 

WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup - Grace's Player Profile