Acapulco, Mexico - After a fantastic performance yesterday against Venezuela in the opening game of the Super Round, Canada looked to continue its momentum in their second game against Brazil. In what was a nail-biter of a game, Canada secured the 8-5 victory, giving them a 2-2 record in the Super Round.
Similar to yesterday, Canada would strike quickly in the top of the first inning with back-to-back singles from Jayden Girling (Guelph, Ont.) and Robyn McIsaac (Langley, B.C.). Both runs came into score off a triple deep to right field by Leah Rayson (Abbotsford, B.C.). Canada would add one more run in the first with a sac fly from Amarah Hunter (Coquitlam, B.C.) to end the first with a 3-0 lead.
Canada led the top of the fourth inning with a hit by pitch to Coco Chapman (Langley, B.C.) and two errors from Brazil’s defense to load the bases. McIsaac would hit a single up the middle to score two runs, followed by Rayson hitting a double to center field, scoring one more run and extending Canada’s lead to 6-0.
The red and white continued their offensive momentum in the fifth with lead-off singles from McKenzie Howard (Burgessville, Ont.) and Chapman. After stealing a base, Howard would come in to score on a throwing error by Brazil’s catcher. A couple of at-bats later, Sara MacDonald (Maple Ridge, B.C.) would score the runner on a sac fly to give Canada their final run of the ball game and extend their lead further to 8-0.
Brazil entered the bottom of the fifth with zero hits, looking to rally back. With two outs and a runner on first, Brazil loaded the bases with a single and a walk. Another single would drive in their first run of the game, followed by a wild pitch, making the score 8-2. A base-clearing triple sent in three more runs, shortening Canada’s lead to 8-5.
Despite giving up five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Canada maintained their composure and held Brazil hitless for the final two innings, thanks to a stellar pitching performance from Rachel Clegg (Langley B.C.) and great defensive work securing the 8-5 victory over Brazil.
Clegg started the game for Canada, pitching four innings and two-thirds, collecting six strikeouts, and only giving up one hit. Jordyn McKenzie (Langley, B.C.) came in for relief in the fifth inning, allowing two hits and three runs to score. Clegg re-entered to close the game, collecting four more strikeouts in two and one-third innings of work.
Team Canada will play its final game of the Super Round on Thursday against the United States at 4:30 PM EST.
