Guatemala City, Guatemala - The Canadian Women’s National Team is now 2-0 at the 2022 WBSC Women’s Pan American Championship after defeating Nicaragua 9-0 at Carlos Larranaga Gomar field on Sunday.
Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.), started the game for Canada in the circle and worked a perfect first inning, retiring all three batters in order while recording two strike outs.
It didn't take long for Canada to strike in the first inning as both Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) and Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) recorded singles. They were promptly brought home when Kianna Jones (Surrey, B.C.) homered to deep left field. Madelyn McKinnon (Surrey, B.C.) extended the lead for Canada when she hit a sacrifice fly scoring Alysen Febrey (Peachtree, GA.), who had previously singled. Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) extended the lead to 5-0 when a hard line drive down the left field line evaded the diving outfielder, allowing Polidori to scamper all the way home.
In the top of the second inning, Rackel returned to the circle and recorded an immaculate inning for Canada - nine pitches, nine strikes, three outs all via the strikeout.
Canada was able push another run across in the bottom of the second when Kelsey Lalor (Red Deer, Alta.) walked and scored on a Harshman single.
Dawn Bodrug (Georgetown, Ont.) relieved Rackel in the top of the 3rd, making her debut in the circle for Team Canada. After a leadoff hit, she retired six consecutive batters, four via the strikeout.
Canada was able to push three more runs across in the bottom of the fourth inning, all with two outs in the inning. Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) worked a walk before scoring on a Kianna Jones triple. Alysen Febrey then hit her second home run of the tournament, pushing the Canada lead to 9-0.
Bodrug again worked a scoreless frame in the top of the fifth striking out two batters in the process.
Canada continues their tournament November 14 at 10:00am CST when they look to go 3-0 against Dominican Republic. A livestream feed will be available throughout the tournament on Softball Canada’s Facebook page.
