THUNDER BAY, ON – Alexandra Hugo and Denae Benites each hit a home run and tallied two RBIs in a 13-4 win over Canada at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals on Tuesday night.
Hugo, who went 2-for-2, earned a walk, and scored three runs, hit a two-run shot to centre in the first inning, putting the Red, White, and Blue ahead 2-0.
Later in the third, up 4-1, Benites hit a two-run homer down the left field line. After a video review, the call on the field stood, and the USA took a 6-1 lead. The American catcher went 3-for-4 at the dish.
Olivia Pichardo (1-0) recorded her first tournament win. In the right-handed pitcher’s four innings of work, she allowed two hits and a run while striking out four.
Andréanne Leblanc (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC), who had half of Canada’s four hits in the game, Alizée Gélinas (Trois-Rivières, QC), and Emily Baxter (Oakville, ON), each recorded an RBI for the hosts. Nobody received credit for the remaining run, which came on a fielder’s choice.
Jillian Albayati, who went 1-for-3 with two runs and RBIs, Ashton Lansdell, Kelsie Whitmore, Remi Schaber, and Kate Blunt rounded out the scoring for the Americans.
Allison Schroder (Fruitvale, BC) (0-1) was credited with the loss. She threw three innings, allowed 10 runs, five earned, and walked five. Amy Johnson (Saskatoon, SK), who entered in relief of Schroder in the fourth, allowed six hits and three runs, walked two, and struck out one.
Canada resumes play on Wednesday night against Venezuela. The first pitch is at 7:00 PM ET.
