Cary, North Carolina- For the second time in as many days, the Women’s National Team defeated USA Red, this time by a 7-5 score.
Canada jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st when Nicole Luchanski (Edmonton, AB) and Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, ON) scored. Luchanksi, who was hit by a pitch to lead-off the inning, scored from third base on a sac-fly from Kate Psota (Burlington, ON) while Stephenson scored from third on a RBI ground-out from Amanda Asay (Prince George, BC).
Asay started on the mound for Canada and USA got one of the runs back when Asay unleashed a wild-pitch allowing a runner from third to score. Asay only threw the one inning and gave up one run on one hit with one strikeout.
The two teams would exchange runs in both the 3rd and 4th innings to keep Canada in front 4-3 heading to the 5th.
In the 5th, Canada scored 3 runs to give them a 4-run cushion. Veronika Boyd (Whalley, BC) got things going for Canada when she led-off with a walk, stole second and was singled home by Megean Cornellsen (Grand-Prairie, AB). Cornellsen then proceeded to steal second and third base before Autumn Mills (London, ON) cashed her in with a single. Bradi Wall (Saskatoon, SK) accounted for the final run of the frame when she scored from third base on an Ashley Stephenson single.
From there the ball was in Hannah Martensen’s (Ottawa, ON) hand that was able to keep USA Red from getting back into the game.
Martensen started the 3rd inning and ended up going 4 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 2 batters.
Notes: Canada will be back in action on Saturday (August 6th) with an 11am ET game against USA Blue…The game time had to be pushed up to 11am due to the threat of inclement weather in the Cary area later in the day…Fans can follow all of the action LIVE by visiting www.usabaseball.com
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