THUNDER BAY, ON – Canada captured bronze at the 2024 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup after beating Mexico 4-2 at Port Arthur Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Andréanne Leblanc (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC), who went 2-for-3 at the plate, led the way with two RBIs. With the hosts down 1-0 in the third inning, Leblanc tied the contest with a bases-loaded groundout.
Then, in the fifth, the powerful switch hitter gave Canada a 3-1 advantage after a deep double to centre field scored Mia Valcke (St. Mary’s, ON).
Raine Padgham (1-0) of Abbotsford, BC, had an exceptional outing that earned her the win. In four innings of work, she allowed four hits and a run and struck out a batter.
Alizée Gélinas (Trois-Riviéres, QC), who also went 2-for-3, and Ela Day-Bédard (Gatineau, QC) secured the remaining RBIs for Canada.
Mexico’s runs came from a Denise Perez solo shot to left field and an RBI single from Liliana Segovia that scored Samaria Benitez.
Maricela Aguillera (0-1) was the losing pitcher for Mexico. In 4 2/3 innings, she allowed seven hits and four runs.
The win solidified a seventh all-time medal for Canada, five of which have been bronze, with silver being the other two.