Acapulco, Mexico – Today marked the end of the opening round for Team Canada where they fell short to Mexico 4-1. Despite the loss, Canada successfully qualified for the Super Round as the third seed in Group B. This led them to face Venezuela, where they showcased a strong offensive performance, winning 7-0 in four and a half innings.
Game 1
Mexico got off to a quick start against the Canadians, where they started the game by hitting a single into right field. The runner came in to score a couple of batters later with another single, this time to left field, giving Mexico the early 1-0 lead.
Canada would have their chance in the top of the second when Leah Rayson (Abbotsford, B.C.) led off the inning with a double into center field but was thrown out trying to go to third. The Canadians had another opportunity in the fourth when Coco Chapman (Langley, B.C.) led off the inning with a double to deep left field. She went on to score on the next at-bat, due to a throwing error from Mexico’s second basemen.
Both teams were in a stalemate until the bottom of the sixth inning when Mexico finally managed to figure out the Canada pitching, leading off with a walk and single. Both runs would eventually come home on a double. Mexico added the final run a couple of batters later with a single into the outfield. Canada looked to answer back but couldn’t muster up a hit in the top of the 7th, securing a 4-1 victory for Mexico.
Jordyn Mackenzie (Langley, B.C.) started the game for Canada, pitching in five innings of work, where she struck out four batters while allowing five hits and three runs. Kenzie Newman (Regina, Sask), took over in the sixth, allowing two hits and one run to score.
Game 2
Canada started the game on fire when Sara MacDonald (Maple Ridge, B.C.) led off the bottom of the first with a single up the middle. Robyn McIsaac (Langley, B.C.) drove in MacDonald with an RBI single, which gave Canada the early 1-0 lead. They weren’t done yet, as after a walk and stolen base from Rayson, Rylee Kobasew (Vernon, B.C.) came up to bat and drove in two runs with a single toward first base.
Amarah Hunter (Coquitlam, B.C.) hit a single into right field to put two runners on base. Canada continued to add more runs, thanks to an RBI groundout from Newman and an error from Mexico, giving Canada the 5-0 lead after one inning.
Venezuela looked to respond in the top of the second, leading off with a walk and a single. They worked another walk to load the bases and putting pressure on Canada. However, thanks to two strikeouts from Rachel Clegg (Langley B.C.), they escaped the inning without giving up any runs.
Canada attempted to carry their offensive momentum into the bottom of the third, leading off with two singles from Rayson and Kobasew, followed by a walk from Newman to load the bases. However, Venezuela managed to get out of the inning unscathed.
The bats weren’t the only thing going for the Canadians, as they were playing extremely well defensively as well. Jayden Girling (Guelph, Ont.) made a spectacular diving catch in the outfield to take a hit away from Venezuela. Hunter followed that up by making a great running throw to her left to get the runner out at first.
Canada looked to put the nail in the coffin in the bottom of the fourth, when Chapman hit an infield single and stole a base, setting the stage for Robyn McIsaac, who launched a home run to center field giving Canada their final two runs of the game.
Venezuela went hitless in the top of the fifth inning, giving Canada a 7-0 victory to start the Supe Round.
Rachel Clegg pitched the whole game, which was five innings of work, where she struck out six batters. She allowed three hits and two walks in what was a fantastic pitching performance to end an even better game for Canada.
Canada will continue its Super Round schedule on Wednesday, with the opponent and time yet to be announced.
The next few game for Canada is to be determined, so stay turned to find out more information.
