World Cup of Softball: U.S. team clinches spot in championship game

The Americans stand alone atop the six-team standings as the only undefeated team left in the tournament and have clinched a berth in the World Cup championship game at 8 p.m. Monday.

Team USA's power at the plate was too much for Canada (0-3). Valerie Arioto's three-run home run in the first inning helped spark the U.S. offense.

She's been a constant source of production for the U.S. during the World Cup.

“Her eyes are steady,” U.S. coach Ken Eriksen said of Arioto. “If your eyes are steady and you're behind the ball with her type of power, it can get scary. And right now she's scary.”

Two of Arioto's three home runs in the tournament left ASA Hall of Fame Stadium Saturday. But her favorite of her three home runs?

“All of them,” Arioto said. “A home run is always a good time.”

Eriksen was disappointed with the Team USA's lack of energy Friday night and said so to his players. Arioto thought his message came through to them, and they set about proving it.

“We came out today and wanted to show what we're about,” she said. “This is what we wanted.”

Eriksen agreed with one of his team's best hitters in the tournament. He received the response he was looking for and wants Team USA (4-0) to carry its energy into its game against Brazil at noon Sunday.