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 would successfully qualify for the Super Round as the third seed in Group B. This would lead them to face Venezuela, where they showcase a strong offensive performance, winning 7-0 in four and a half innings.
Game 1
Mexico got off to a quick start against Team Canada, where they started the game by hitting a single into right field. The run would be cashed in a couple of batters later with another single, this time in 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.) would lead off the inning with a double into center field but would be thrown out trying to go to third. The Canadians would have another opportunity in the fourth, where Coco Chapman (Langley, B.C.) would lead off the inning with a double to deep left field. She would score on the next at-bat, due to a throwing error from Mexico’s second basemen.
Both teams would be at a stalemate, up until the bottom of the sixth inning where Mexico finally managed to figure out the Canada pitching, leading off with a walk and single. Both runs would eventually come home on an RBI double. Mexico would get the final run a couple of batters later with a single into the outfield. Canada would look 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 5.0 innings of work, where she struck out four batters while allowing five hits and three runs. Kenzie Newman (Regina, Sask), would take over in the sixth, allowing two hits and one run to score.
Game 2
Canada started this game on fire when Sara MacDonald (Maple Ridge, B.C.) led off the bottom of the first with a single down the middle. Robyn McIsaac (Langley, B.C.) would drive 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.) would come up to bat and drive two runs with a single toward first.
Amarah Hunter (Coquitlam, B.C.) would hit a single into right field to put two runners on base. Canada would continue to add on more runs, thanks to an RBI groundout from Newman and an error from Venezuela, giving Canada the 5-0 lead after just one inning.
Venezuela would look to respond in the top of the second, leading off with a walk and a single. They would be granted another walk, loading the bases and putting pressure on Canada. However, thanks to 2 strikeouts from Rachel Clegg (Langley B.C.), they would escape the inning without giving up any runs.
Canada would attempt 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 Team Canada, as they were playing extremely well defensively. Jayden Girling (Guelph, Ont.) would make a spectacular diving catch in the outfield to take a hit away for Venezuela. Hunter would follow that up by making a great running throw to her left to get the runner out at first.
In the bottom of the fourth, Chapman would hit an infield single and steal a base, setting the stage for McIsaac, who launched a home run to center field giving Canada their final two runs of the game.
Venezuela would be hitless in the top of the fifth inning, giving Canada a 7-0 victory to start the super-round.
Clegg would complete the game in the circle, striking out a total of six batters. She would only allow three hits and two walks in what was a fantastic pitching performance to end an even better game for Canada.
The next few game for Canada is to be determined, so stay turned to find out more information.
