THUNDER BAY – The Women’s National Team kicked off their training camp on July 23 as they are getting set to compete in their ninth WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals. Camp will run until July 27, followed by the tournament from July 28 to August 3. Mexico, the United States, Venezuela, Japan, and Chinese Taipei will also be competing to be the first world champions in six years.
The first few days have consisted of practice sessions and an exhibition game against the local Thunder Bay Lakers men’s team, which Canada lost 5-0.
After starting the game with two scoreless innings, the Lakers struck first in the third on an RBI double down the left-field line. Before the frame ended, they extended their lead to 3-0 after an RBI triple was hit to right field. Thunder Bay added a run in the fourth and sixth to finish the scoring.
Alison Schroder, who started on the mound for Canada, retired all three batters she faced. Alexane Fournier, Liz Gilder, and Amy Johnson also had scoreless outings for Canada, while Alizée Gélinas, Andréanne Leblanc, and Emily Baxter all went 1-for-3 at the plate.
Canada wraps up exhibition play on Friday night against the United States. The contest starts at 7:00 p.m. EST and can be followed here.
Canada ends exhibition play with loss to USA
The Women’s National Team lost their second and final exhibition game 5-4 to the United States at Baseball Central on Friday night.
After an error and two walks to open the game from Canadian pitcher Alizée Gélinas, American outfielder Kelsie Whitmore hit a double to give the USA a 2-0 lead. Following the two-RBI hit, the USA extended its lead to 4-0 on a groundout and a single.
In the second inning, right-handed pitcher Jaida Lee took over on the mound for Canada. The St. John’s, NL native faced four batters, registered a strikeout, and stranded a runner.
Michelle Roche followed Lee’s performance with a seven-pitch, three up, three down, third inning. Allison Schroder, Liz Gilder, and Amy Johnson also threw scoreless innings for Canada, while Sophy Gagné allowed USA's final run in the seventh frame.
Thanks to three walks and a hit batter, Canada got on the board in the seventh inning and made it a 5-2 contest. Shortly after, the Red and White made it a 5-4 ballgame on a two-out, two-run single from Gélinas but couldn't finish the comeback.
Canada begins the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup on Sunday against Mexico.
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