(Clearwater, Fla.) The Canadian Junior Women’s National Team blanked Ireland 8-0 in five innings for its second win at the WBSC Junior Women’s Softball World Championship. Sarah Benn (Oakville, Ont.) connected for a pair of doubles and drove in three runs with Amanda Janes (Brampton, Ont.) adding a two-run homerun, while Elizabeth Murphy (Maple Ridge, B.C.) earned the five-inning shutout win in the pitcher’s circle.
 
Team Canada started the game strong by scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. Allyse Volpe (Toronto, Ont.) hit a ground ball to the pitcher that was overthrown at first, allowing Volpe to race around to third before scoring on a single up the middle by Alexis Huggart (Treherne, Man.). Huggart stole second and moved up to third on a wild pitch before Becki Monaghan (Spruce Grove, Alta.) walked to put runners on the corners. Monaghan stole second and the throw from the catcher went into centerfield to allow Huggart to cross the plate. Benn lined a double over the third baseman into left field to drive in Monaghan, and went on two score on a two-run homerun to left by Janes as Canada took an early 5-0 lead. Ireland got a pair of singles in the bottom of the inning but was not able to score.
 
In the second, Emma Adams (Rockwood, Ont.) led off with a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball before Cassie Matlock (Edmonton, Alta.) hit an infield single. After a pop out to third and a strikeout, Maria Palmegiani (Surrey, B.C.) singled off the third baseman to load the base, followed by a single to left by Rebecca Jones (Toronto, Ont.) to drive in a run. The red and white would add two runs to its lead in the top of the fourth, as Monaghan and Palmegiani connected with a pair of one-out singles and advanced on a wild pitch before both scoring on a double down the third base line by Benn to make the lead 8-0. Ireland got a leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth but was unable to extend the game as Canada won on the run rule.
 
Box Score: Canada 8 vs. Ireland 0
 
Murphy got the start for Canada and held Ireland to four hits in five innings, striking out six batters. Benn had a pair of doubles and drove in three, while Janes hit a two-run blast. Matlock and Palmegiani bot contributed two singles with other hits going to Huggart, Monaghan and Jones.
 
The win improved Canada’s record to 2-0 and they will play a pair of games on Wednesday, taking on Korea (0-1) at 11:00am EDT followed by Great Britain (1-0) at 6:00pm EDT.
 
For full tournament standings and results, visit the 2017 WBSC Junior Women’s Softball World Championship website. Webstreaming of all games is also available.