Canada Drops First Playoff Game against
United States at Junior Women’s World Championship

(Oklahoma City, OK) The Canadian Junior Women’s National Team dropped its first playoff game by a score of 15-0 in three innings against the United States at the WBSC Junior Women’s World Softball Championship. The American bats proved to be too much on this night as they produced 14 hits, while Canada was limited to two baserunners in the three inning game.
 
Kelsey Jenkins (Delta, BC) got things started on the right foot for Canada by lacing a leadoff double to center, but was left stranded after a pair of strikeouts and a fly out to left. The United States got on the board in the bottom of the inning with a two-run double. The following inning, Courtney Gilbert (Delhi, ON) drew a two-out walk but could not advance any further as the next batter struck out after fouling off several pitches.
 
The Americans added six runs in the bottom of the second by scoring on an error, a pair of run-scoring singles, a one-run double and a two-run homerun by Alyssa Palomino to take an 8-0 lead. After Canada went down in order in the top half of the third, the Americans put the game away by exploding for another seven runs scored on two triples, a pair of doubles, a single and an error to end the game 15-0 in three innings on the run rule.
 
Box Score: United States 15 vs. Canada 0
 
Madison Clarke (Edmonton, AB) started the game in the pitcher’s circle for Canada, allowing six runs on seven hits in an inning and a third. Madison Hope (Winnipeg, MB) pitched one inning in relief, allowing four runs on three hits, and Ashley Penney (Victoria, BC) allowed five unearned runs in a third of an inning. Jenkins’ double was Canada’s only hit in the run rule shortened game.
 
Earlier in the day, Japan blanked Mexico 7-0 and will now play the United States in the battle between the two teams with two lives remaining at 7:30pm CDT. Puerto Rico eliminated China from medal contention with a 2-0 win and will advance to play Mexico at 11:00am CDT. The final crossover game saw New Zealand edge the Czech Republic 2-1, earning them a matchup with Canada at 12:00pm CDT. The winning teams of the Puerto Rico/Mexico and Canada/New Zealand games will square off at 5:00pm CDT with a spot in Saturday’s medal round on the line.
 
In the placement round, Italy blanked Argentina 4-0, Chinese Taipei shut down Colombia 11-0, and Brazil doubled Great Britain 6-3 in 12 innings. Placement round games on Friday include Italy against the Czech Republic at 1:30pm CDT, China taking on Chinese Taipei at 2:30pm CDT, Australia will square off against the winner of the Italy/Czech Republic game at 4:00pm, and Brazil will await the winner of the China/Chinese Taipei game at 6:30pm CDT.