GIJANG, Korea- Nicole Luchanski (Edmonton, AB) had three extra base hits and drove in two, while Amanda Asay (Prince George, BC) went the distance on the mound as Canada locked up a spot in the Super Round at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup with a 7-1 win over the Netherlands.
The win gives Canada second place in Group B, while Japan (3-0) finished first. Other teams advancing to the Super Round include Australia, Chinese Taipei, Venezuela and host Korea with play beginning on Wednesday.
“Nicole provided the spark that we needed today,” said Canadian Manager André Lachance. “We were pressing a bit at the beginning, left the bases loaded twice (in the first three innings) and gave them a bit of momentum, but our offence kicked it into high gear after that and we never looked back.”
Box Score - Canada 7 Netherlands 1
Canada had built a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as a Kelsey Lalor (Red Deer, AB) single to left-centre cashed in Luchanski from third base.
Asay retired the first nine hitters she faced before giving up a leadoff single to start the fourth. After a sac bunt moved the runner to second, an infield single put runners on the corners before Asay managed to get an infield pop out for the second out of the inning. The Dutch then played a bit of small ball to generate their only run as the runner from third crossed home plate prior to a tag being applied by first baseman Kate Psota (Burlington, ON) on stolen base attempt of second.
Asay continued her early game dominance again in the fifth as she allowed just a single the rest of the way and ended the game with eight strikeouts.
“Amanda had a tremendous effort today and had all her stuff working from the very first pitch of the game,” explained Lachance. “Just like yesterday, having to use only one pitcher saves the rest of our arms which will be an advantage when the Super Round starts.”
Canada responded immediately after the Netherlands scored in the fourth putting up three runs in the bottom of the inning. Luchanski drilled a triple to centre that brought in Niki Boyd (Surrey, BC) from second base. She then tagged a scored from third when Becky Hartley (White Rock, BC) lifted a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to left. The third run of the inning scored when Jenna Flannigan (Cornwall, ON) hit a fly ball to centre that allowed Kelsey Lalor (Red Deer, AB) to tag and score from third base.
Boyd and Luchanski hit back-to-back doubles in the fifth before Kelsey Lalor belted a triple to centre that brought in two to put Canada in front by six and round out the scoring.
Canada will carry its Opening Round loss against Japan with them to the Super Round to begin 0-1. Following four Super Round games, match-ups for gold and bronze medal games will be determined.
“There will be no easy games in the next round,” added Lachance. “We’ve done some good things in the first round and I like where our game is headed.”
UP NEXT: Canada will open the Super Round on September 7th against Australia (7pm KT/6am ET) before taking on Venezuela on September 8th (2pm KT/1am ET). Canada will then face host Korea on September 9th (9:30am KT/8:30pm ET on Sept.8) before playing Chinese Taipei on September 10th (9:30am KT/8:30pm ET on Sept.9)...All Super Round games will be broadcast on the WBSC YouTube channel.
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