Photo by: Team USA/USOPC
Shaw Helps Team USA To First Men’s World Cup Medal In 22 Years
December 05, 2022 | Softball
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Zac Shaw is bringing home Team USA's first Men's Softball World Cup medal in 22 years. Mississippi State's volunteer assistant was a member of Team USA's bronze medal squad in New Zealand.
The Red, White and Blue defeated world-No. 1 Argentina in the bronze medal game, 2-0, on Saturday. It was the Americans 10th medal in the event and its fourth bronze. Team USA last reached the podium in 2000 at the World Cup held in East London, South Africa.
The Americans entered the Super Round in third place with a 1-2 record carrying over from pool play. They dropped a close ball game late to eventual silver medalist Canada to begin the second stage of competition. Canada scored in the bottom of the sixth to take a decisive, 4-3, lead.
Team USA's tough road continued with a three-run loss to eventual gold medalist Australia the following day, but the Americans responded with a 5-1 victory against Venezuela to advance to the bronze medal matchup.
There they faced a top-ranked Argentine team that had beaten them, 5-3, in the final game of the opening round. Team USA and Argentina remained in a scoreless tie through four innings before the Americans broke through to score the game's only two runs in the top of the fifth.
Shaw is the second member of MSU's coaching staff to medal with Team USA this fall. Student assistant coach Mia Davidson-Smith won gold at the Pan American Championships in November.
Nov. 30 vs. Canada (L, 3-4): 0-for-2, HBP, K
Dec. 1 vs. Australia (L, 9-12): 0-for-4, K
Dec. 2 vs. Venezuela (W, 5-1): 0-for-3, K
Dec. 3 vs. Argentina (W, 2-0): 0-for-2, BB, 2 K
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
The Red, White and Blue defeated world-No. 1 Argentina in the bronze medal game, 2-0, on Saturday. It was the Americans 10th medal in the event and its fourth bronze. Team USA last reached the podium in 2000 at the World Cup held in East London, South Africa.
The Americans entered the Super Round in third place with a 1-2 record carrying over from pool play. They dropped a close ball game late to eventual silver medalist Canada to begin the second stage of competition. Canada scored in the bottom of the sixth to take a decisive, 4-3, lead.
Team USA's tough road continued with a three-run loss to eventual gold medalist Australia the following day, but the Americans responded with a 5-1 victory against Venezuela to advance to the bronze medal matchup.
There they faced a top-ranked Argentine team that had beaten them, 5-3, in the final game of the opening round. Team USA and Argentina remained in a scoreless tie through four innings before the Americans broke through to score the game's only two runs in the top of the fifth.
Shaw is the second member of MSU's coaching staff to medal with Team USA this fall. Student assistant coach Mia Davidson-Smith won gold at the Pan American Championships in November.
Shaw's Game-by-Game Stats
Pool Play Totals: 5 G, 5 GS, 5-for-16 (.313), 2 2B, R, 5 RBI, 7 K, .438 SLG, .313 OBPNov. 30 vs. Canada (L, 3-4): 0-for-2, HBP, K
Dec. 1 vs. Australia (L, 9-12): 0-for-4, K
Dec. 2 vs. Venezuela (W, 5-1): 0-for-3, K
Dec. 3 vs. Argentina (W, 2-0): 0-for-2, BB, 2 K
TOTALS: 9 G, 9 GS, 5-for-27 (.185), 2 2B, R, 5 RBI, BB, HBP, 12 K, .259 SLG, .241 OBP
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
SOFTBALL | Super Regional at Oklahoma Game 3 Highlights - 5/24/26
Sunday, May 24
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference at Oklahoma (NCAAT) 5/24/26
Sunday, May 24
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference at Oklahoma (NCAAT) 5/23/26
Saturday, May 23
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference at Oklahoma (NCAAT) 5/22/26
Friday, May 22