ROCKFORD, Illinois – Canada's Women's National Team improved to 3-0 at the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage with a 12-2 run-rule victory over Mexico on Friday afternoon at Rivets Stadium.
After falling behind early, Canada responded with 12 unanswered runs to remain atop the Group Rockford standings heading into a highly anticipated matchup against the United States.
Michelle Roche (Burnaby, BC) delivered an outstanding performance on the mound to earn the win. After surrendering a two-run home run in the opening inning, the right-hander settled in and blanked Mexico over the next four frames, allowing just three hits while striking out five.
Canada wasted little time answering Mexico's early lead.
In the bottom of the first, Emily Baxter (Oakville, ON) scored on a single to centre field by Lucie Anctil (La Pocatière, QC), who drove in her team-leading ninth RBI. Anctil later crossed the plate on a fielder's choice to even the score at 2-2.
The Women's National Team pulled ahead for good in the third inning when Andréanne Leblanc (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC) doubled home Camille Proulx (Laval, QC) to give Canada its first lead of the afternoon.
Canada broke the game open over the next two innings.
In the fourth, Julianna Scott (Edmonton, AB) sparked a three-run inning with an RBI double down the left field line that scored Frédérique Noël (Bois-des-Filion, QC). Scott later came around to score on Baxter's RBI double as Canada extended its advantage.
The offence continued to roll in the fifth, erupting for four more runs. Leblanc capped another productive day at the plate with a two-run single, finishing with three RBI, while Scott drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the game-ending run as Canada secured the victory by tournament run rule.
Scott finished the afternoon with four RBI, while Leblanc drove in three as Canada's offence continued its torrid start to the tournament.
The Women's National Team returns to Rivets Stadium on Saturday for a showdown with the United States. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage Schedule
*All games at Rivets Stadium
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