Weather was a major factor on Day 3 of the 2018 WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup in Florida, causing two games to be suspended until next week. But it didn't prevent the United States and Japan from remaining undefeated in the tournament, as well as big victories for Cuba and Australia.
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Here's what you need to know from Friday's opening-round action:
Cuba 12, Dominican Republic 0 (5 innings)
Cuba picked up its first win of the tournament with a shutout of the Dominican Republic and put on a baserunning clinic in the process. In the top of the first, Dayanna Batista singled, then stole second and third before scoring on a double steal with Yordanka Rodriguez. Cuba swiped four more bags in the second inning, with Jessica Herrera stealing second and third following a walk. She scored on Katherine Fals' bunt single. Fals then stole second and third as well, scoring on Yamisleidy Perez's double to make it 4-0. Cuba rounded out the scoring with five runs in the third inning and three in the fifth.
Australia 24, Hong Kong 2 (5 innings)
Australia and Hong Kong were tied at 2 entering the third inning, when Australia scored nine runs to break things open. Elodie O'Sullivan and Taylah Welch had run-scoring doubles, though seven of the nine runs in the frame were unearned due to a pair of errors.
Hong Kong needed five pitchers to get through the fourth inning, during which Australia rallied for 13 more runs to cap the day's scoring.
United States 11, Korea 1 (5 innings)
USA improved to 3-0 in the tournament with a win over Korea in a contest delayed in the first inning by heavy rain. The United States jumped out to an early advantage with consecutive doubles by Jade Gortarez and Malaika Underwood, and scored again later in the first on a wild pitch and an RBI single from Anna Kimbrell, taking a 5-0 lead into the second.
The U.S. scored six more runs, three of which were driven in by Kimbrell, who finished with four RBIs. Kelsie Whitmore started and allowed one run on three hits before turning things over to Emily Tsujikawa, who closed out the game with a scoreless fifth.
Japan 2, Canada 1
Japan extended its Women's World Cup winning streak to 24 games and retained sole possession of first place in Group B by edging out previously undefeated Canada in a game delayed by thunderstorms. Though there was plenty of traffic on the basepaths for both teams, each side's pitchers were able to get out of multiple jams.
Leading in the fifth, 1-0, Japan capitalized on a pair of Canada throwing errors to plate an insurance run, which would prove critical when Canada scored its lone run on an Emma March pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth.
But with the tying run at third base, reigning Women's World Cup Most Valuable Player Ayami Sato got out of the jam with a devastating curveball to get Veronika Boyd swinging. Akino Tanaka relieved Sato in the seventh and worked around two singles to seal the victory.
Netherlands vs. Chinese Taipei -- Suspended
Due to inclement weather, this game is scheduled to be made up on Monday at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico -- Suspended
Due to inclement weather, this game is scheduled to be made up on Monday at 9:00 p.m. ET.