EDMONTON-Wet and cold conditions did nothing to stop Canada’s hot bats as they used sixteen hits to easily defeat the Netherlands 19-2 in a five inning, mercy-rule shortened game.
The win improves Canada’s record to a perfect 5-0 which puts them in sole possession of first place in round robin standings and assures them a berth in one of Saturday’s semi-finals at the 5th IBAF Women’s World Cup.
“I’m happy with the way we competed tonight given the circumstances of this game,” said Canadian Manager André Lachance. “We were able to get some at-bats in and give some of our younger players some playing time.”
Canada scored three runs in the top of the first with Amanda Asay (Prince George, BC) and Kate Psota (Burlington, ON) each collecting RBI doubles.
Canada received three innings of solid work from starter Tara Sliwkanich (Fort Saskatchewan, AB) who only gave up one hit and struck out four during her outing.
“Tara threw the ball well for us today,” added Lachance. “She threw strikes and got ahead in the count which is what you want out of your starter.”
Canada added another run in the second when Jenna Flannigan (Cornwall, ON) singled home Becky Hartley (White Rock, BC) who had previously doubled down the left field line.
In the fourth, the Canadians broke the game wide open with nine runs and added another six in the top of the fifth.
Canada had several contributors on offence including Kate Psota who went 4-for-4 with three RBIs; Jenna Flannigan had two RBIs to go along with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, and Amanda Asay and Hannah Martensen (Ottawa, ON) each had two hits and two RBIs.
Brittany Chan (Richmond Hill, ON) made her World Cup debut in the fourth as she replaced Sliwkanich on the mound. Chan gave-up two runs on one hit and struck out one batter.
In the fifth, Brinley McLaren (Brantford, ON), the youngest players on Team Canada at age 17, took the mound in her first World Cup appearance and allowed one hit, while getting two pop-outs and a ground out to end the game.
Canada will enjoy and off-day on Thursday before taking on Cuba Thursday night.
Notes: Thursday’s game against Cuba will begin at 9:30pm ET and can be heard live on-line at www.theteam1260.com …LIVE tournament scoring of all games, standings, stats and rosters can be found at www.ibaf.org
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