Malta climbs 2 world ranking places after success in the WBSC Women’s Softball European Championship 2024

In a strong showing from the Malta Softball National Team, Malta brought home a record 3 wins and is now ranked 42nd worldwide.

4th September 2024
Malta 2 – 0 Bulgaria

In a pitching duel against Bulgaria, Malta’s starting pitcher, Bridie Murphy, opened the game with 2 scoreless innings and struck out 3 batters in the process.

Monique Saliba jumpstarted Malta’s offense in the third inning, hitting a double to left center field. Second baseman Thalia Sweeney proceeded to hit an RBI single up the middle, scoring Saliba, and made it a 1-0 ballgame. Pitcher Bridie Murphy protected the lead, striking out the side in the bottom of the inning.

Seeking some runs for Malta, Maltese catcher Zara Yari led off the 4th inning with a long triple to left field. With Joanne Mifsud at bat, the Bulgarian pitcher threw a wild pitch, allowing Yari to score and extended Malta’s lead to 2-0.

Strong pitching performances from both sides prevented any more runs from scoring as Bridie Murphy racked up an impressive 12 strikeouts.

5th September 2024
Finland 1 – 5 Malta

Coming off a win, Malta continued from where they left off, scoring immediately in the 1st inning. Monique Saliba led off the game by reaching base on an error. Saliba proceeded to steal second base and advanced to third base on a ground out by Thalia Sweeney. Jessica Micallef reached on a fielder’s choice as Finland attempted to get Monique Saliba out at home. Monique’s speed beat the throw and scored the first run for Malta.

The big inning for Malta came in the third frame. Natasha Fenech led off with a single and immediately stole second base. A bunt by Monique Saliba forced a fielding error, allowing Fenech to reach third base and eventually scoring on a wild pitch. Jessica Micallef singled to right field and scored Saliba. Pinch runner Bernice Sant stole second base and scored on an RBI triple by Zara Yari. Olga Karpuhina followed with an RBI single of her own, to bring in Yari and extended Malta’s lead to 5-1.

Enjoying a healthy lead, starting pitcher Bridie Murphy continued to dominate, striking out 11 batters, en route to Malta’s second win of the championship.

6th September 2024
Hungary 1 – 6 Malta

Playing for their third win in a row, Malta matched up against Hungary. Pin-point pitching from both sides prevented any runs in the first couple of innings.

Monique Saliba scored the first run in the third inning. Saliba reached base on an error, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored from an RBI single by Tahlia Sweeney.

Malta extended the lead to 3-0 in the fourth inning as a single by Narisse Privitera and a double by Zara Yari combined for a run. Yari proceeded to steal third base and eventually scored the other run of the inning on a fielder’s choice.

Although Hungary countered with 1 run in the 6th inning, Malta responded with 3 runs of their own. Jessica Lyn walked, Narisse Privitera singled to center field and Zara Yari brought them both home by a triple down the left field line. A sacrifice fly by Olga Karpuhina scored Yari to make it a 6-1 ball game.

Bridie Murphy pitched another gem in this win for Malta, punching out 15 batters and finished the tournament as the strikeout leader with a total of 61 strikeouts.

Batting Stats for Malta

Pitching Stats for Malta