2015 Pan American Games - Women’s Softball Day 7 - Bronze Medal Game

July 26, 2015

 

2015 Pan American Games - Women’s Softball Day 7 - Bronze Medal Game

 

The stakes were high for Canada and Puerto Rico in this bronze medal matchup! The winner will advance to the gold medal game against the USA, while the loser would take the bronze medal home.  Puerto Rico came out strong in the top of the first inning, with Aleshia Ocasio sending a single to left field to score two runs. Canada would respond in the bottom half of the inning, rallying after two early outs.  A double to left field by Kaleigh Rafter would get things going, followed by a walk and an error to move runners ahead.  Jenn Salling and Erika Polidori would then both reach on walks. With the bases loaded, Megan Gurski would draw another walk for Canada’s first run.  Megan Timpf would then capitalize on the opportunity, smacking a single into the outfield to score two more runs. Team Canada would come out of the first inning ahead 3-2.  Both teams would go scoreless in the second inning, with Caira striking out the side to shutdown the Puerto Rican offence.  Two groundouts and a strikeout would finish off the Canadians, as the game entered the top of the third inning.  The third inning would again remain scoreless, with Salling turning a double play to end Puerto Rico’s at-bat, and with Canada leaving three on base at the end of their chance.  The fourth inning would be an eventful one, with Puerto Rico capitalizing on two errors and managing to score two more runs.  Canada would respond in the bottom half of the frame, with Jen Yee reaching first on a single, then advancing to second on an error. Joey Lye would then reach first on a bunt. Both Yee and Lye would score on a double by Rafter, getting Canada the lead once more.  The hits would continue, with Salling hitting a solid single up the middle to reach first. Polidori would connect as well, and would reach first by fielder’s choice.  The Canadians would end their at-bat with a 5-4 lead over Puerto Rico, leaving two runners on base. In the top of the fifth inning, Caira would strike out two batters, while Sara Groenewegen would come in for relief and strike out the third.  In the bottom of the fifth, Canada was able to extend their lead by one more run, with Timpf getting on base with a single and later scoring off an error drawn by a connection from Yee.  In the top of the sixth inning, Canada’s pitching would prove too much for the Puerto Ricans, as Groenewegen struck out three more batters.  The bottom half of the frame would be successful for Canada once more, with Salling reaching first on another walk and Natalie Wideman cashing her in with a RBI single. Canada would enter the seventh inning with a 7-4 lead over Puerto Rico, needing only three outs to secure a spot in the Gold Medal game.  Despite Puerto Rico putting a runner on base with a single by Karla Claudio, Groenwegen would strike out two and draw a fly ball to centre field for the last outs of the game.

 

Final Score: CAN 7 - 4 PUR

 

Gold Medal Game - Sunday, July 26th @ 11:00am EDT Canada vs. United States

 

Want to watch the gold medal game? It will be streamed live at cbc.ca/panam and on the CBC PanAm Games Mobile App! Tune in tomorrow for all the action!