The US continued their quest for a 10th Championship title by quickly wrapping a win in their rain-delayed match against Australia.

The Americans were 4-0 up from yesterday and, despite conceding two runs, they became the first side to confirm a play-off spot with a 4-2 win.

That was followed by a sixth consecutive win of the tournament later in the day as they trounced Dominican Republic 10-0 Valerie Arioto, Taylor Hoagland and Hailie Wilson starring in the victory to help the US top Group B.

Inaugural World Championship winners Australia recovered from their early morning loss to hand out another heavy defeat to Botswana, winning 17-9. 

Australia collected 16 base hits, including three by Erin Thras while Chelsea Forkin, Stacey McManus, Jade Wall and Rachel Lack also pitched in with scoring appearances with the bat.

The defeat eliminates the African side while Australia sit second behind the US and join them in the playoffs.

Australia recovered from losing to the US to beat Botswana and secure second spot in Group B and a place in the play-offs ©Haarlem 2014/Facebook



Elsewhere in Group B, hosts The Netherlands recorded their second and third wins of the Championships as they saw off Dominican Republic 14-1 in their rain delayed clash and followed that up with a 9-3 win over Great Britain, who have lost all six of their matches in Haarlem.

Chinese Taipei remain third in Group B as they followed up their extra innings win over the hosts yesterday with another tie-break victory over Italy.

Miao Yi Chen followed a walk-off single set up by Pei Chun Lin to give Chinese Taipei a 1-0 victory in the eighth inning with pitcher Hui Lin Chung striking out four.

Meanwhile in Group A, Japan secured a crucial win against Canada in their rain delayed encounter.

Both sides began the match with a four-from-four record yesterday evening and the reigning champions led 1-0 coming into this morning's resumption.

Japan decided the game with a three-run rally in the sixth inning thanks to Misa Okubo and a two-run single from Yu Yamamoto to come out 4-0 winners.

That was followed by an impressive 9-0 drubbing of Cuba to confirm their place in the play-offs.

Seven runs in the fifth inning of their match with Russia saw Canada also secure their place in the next stage as group runners-up with Natalie Wideman, Jennifer Gilbert, Megan Timpf and a home-run from Kaleigh Rafter helping them to an 11-0 win.

The Czech Republic head Puerto Rico in the group after they came out the right side of a 3-1 scoreline in their match leaving the Caribbean side rooted to the foot of the standings after six straight defeats.

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