Acapulco, Mexico – Canada’s U15 Women’s National Team made their international debut at the U15 Women’s Pan American Championship, starting strong with a hard-fought 6-5 victory over Peru before falling 9-0 to Puerto Rico in their second game of the day.
Game 1
In an exciting opening game against Peru, both teams remained quiet at the plate until the top of the third, when Peru broke through with a two-run double to center field. In response, Canada made a pitching change, bringing in Chelsea Tan (Surrey, B.C.) to relieve Rylee Kobasew (Vernon, B.C.) and halt Peru’s momentum.
Saesha Kent (Langley, B.C.) sparked Canada’s offense in the bottom of the third with a single to third base, but the team was unable to capitalize and had to wait until the fourth inning to strike back.
In the bottom of the fourth, Coco Chapman (Langley, B.C.) reached base after being hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Amarah Hunter (Coquitlam, B.C.), who delivered a clutch single to left field to bring Chapman home and cut the deficit to 2-1.
Canada’s defense stepped up in the fifth, retiring Peru in order to get back to the plate. Tatum Lecavalier (St. Albert, Alb.) led off with a single to left and advanced to second on a passed ball. With a runner in scoring position and Canada trailing by one, Robyn McIsaac (Langley, B.C.) launched an RBI triple to deep right field, tying the game at 2-2. Chapman kept the momentum rolling with a single through the right side, to give Canada its first lead of the game.
With two outs, Hunter drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Chapman then capitalized on a throwing error by Peru’s catcher to extend the lead. McKenzie Howard (Burgessville, Ont.) followed with another walk, prompting a pitching change for Peru.
Canada continued to apply pressure, loading the bases with another walk from Kent. Sara MacDonald (Maple Ridge, B.C.) then delivered, driving a single to left center to score Hunter and Howard, giving Canada a 6-2 advantage.
Peru battled back in the sixth, pushing three runs across to tighten the score at 6-5. However, Canada’s defense held firm, preventing any further damage. Both teams remained scoreless in the final frame, securing the victory for Canada in their first-ever international game.
Kobasew got the start in the circle for Canada, delivering two innings of work while allowing three hits, two walks, and striking out four. Tan took over in relief, pitching three strong innings, surrendering just one hit and two walks while striking out five. Rachel Clegg (Langley, B.C.) entered in the sixth, recording one out while issuing three walks and striking out one. Kenzie Newman (Regina, Sask.) then closed out the game, pitching the final 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three to secure the win for Canada.
Game 2
Following their hard-fought win against Peru, Team Canada faced a tough challenge against Puerto Rico, conceding six runs in the first inning due to an error, six hits, and a walk.
Canada looked to respond in the top of the second, as McIsaac led off with a single to second base and quickly stole her way into scoring position. Lecavalier followed with a walk, but Canada was unable to bring the runner's home.
Puerto Rico extended their lead in the bottom of the third, driving in two more runs with a double to deep right-center to make it 8-0. They added their final run in the fourth on a wild pitch, securing a 9-0 victory.
Tan started for Canada, pitching 0.1 innings while allowing four hits and five runs. Newman took over in relief, tossing 2.1 innings, surrendering five hits and three walks while striking out two and allowing three runs. Jade Tough (Rockwood, Ont.) entered for 0.1 innings, giving up one run. Jordyn Mackenzie (Langley, B.C.) closed out the game with a strong performance, pitching one scoreless inning and striking out three.
Team Canada will look to bounce back as they face Team Colombia in their third game of the opening round tonight, March 23rd, at 5:00 PM CST (7:00 PM EST).
