Monteria, Colombia - The Canadian U18 Women’s National team improved their record to 3-1 with a 5-3 victory against Brazil on Tuesday. Danika Nell (Boissevain, Man.) showcased stellar pitching for five consecutive innings, while Canada’s offence steadily chipped away to secure the win.  

Nell started things off at the plate for Canada in the bottom of the second reaching first base on an error, setting the stage for Tegan Harnett (Maple Ridge B.C.) to hit a line drive up the middle with one out. Katherine Thiessen (Lloydminster Sask.) followed up with a single to right field, scoring Nell and giving Canada their first run of the game.  

In the third inning, Caitlin Colley (Stouffville, Ont.) blasted a deep shot to centerfield for a double. A single to right field by Nell brought Colley home, adding Canada’s second run to the scoreboard.  

Canada loaded the bases early in the fourth inning, with Harnett getting hit by a pitch, Alexia Chevrier (Saint-Lazare, Que.) reaching on an error, and Thiessen bunting for a hit. Colley would clear the bases hitting a 3 run double for Canada.  

In the top of the sixth inning, Canada made a pitching change, bringing in Rylee Rupple (Maple Ridge B.C.) to relieve Nell. Brazil managed to score their first run on a fielding error, but Canada minimized the damage to two runs and ended the inning with limited impact.  

The game concluded in the seventh inning after Brazil scored their final run on a single to the shortstop. However, on the same play, Chloe Bethune (Lindell Beach, B.C.) would throw out the final out on a rundown as Brazil’s second runner attempted to score on the throw to first.  

Box Score: Canada 5 vs. Brazil 3 

Nell pitched five dominant innings, allowing no hits or walks while striking out 10 batters. Rupple entered in relief, allowing three runs on four hits and two errors in two innings. Colley would go 3-for-3 once again and contributing to three of Canada’s runs while scoring one herself.  

Canada will face Cuba in their final game of the preliminary round tomorrow, April 3rd, at 9:00 AM local time (10:00 AM EST).