ROCKFORD, Illinois – Canada's Women's National Team suffered its first loss of the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage on Saturday evening, falling 12-0 to the United States at Rivets Stadium. The defeat moves Canada to 3-1 in Group Rockford heading into Sunday's final round-robin game against Australia.
The United States struck early with three runs in the opening inning before adding single runs in the third and fifth innings. The Americans broke the game open late with two runs in the sixth and four more in the seventh to secure the run-rule victory.
Canada's offence, which entered the game having scored 40 runs over its first three contests, was held in check by American pitchers Naomi Ryan and Elise Berger. Ryan worked four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out six. Berger was equally effective in relief, retiring all six batters she faced over the final two innings while striking out six to complete the combined two-hit shutout.
Andréanne Leblanc (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC) and Alizée Gélinas (Trois-Rivières, QC) recorded Canada's only hits. Emily Baxter (Oakville, ON), Raine Padgham (Burnaby, BC), Allison Schroder (Fruitvale, BC) and Lucie Anctil (La Pocatière, QC) each reached base on walks.
Jaida Lee (St. John's, NL started for Canada and worked five innings, allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out five. Elizabeth Gilder (Port Moody, BC) and Sophy Gagné (Sainte-Martine, QC) pitched in relief over the final two innings.
Canada, which opened the tournament with victories over Hong Kong (13-0), Korea (15-3) and Mexico (12-2), will look to bounce back on Sunday when it faces Australia in its final Group Rockford contest. First pitch from Rivets Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage Schedule
*All games at Rivets Stadium
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