AJAX, Ontario- A three-run third inning for Team USA proved to be the difference as they hung on to defeat Canada 3-1 to finish in top spot after round robin competition at the Pan American Games Baseball Competition.
The win gives the United States (4-0) a spot in Sunday’s gold medal game, while Canada (3-1) will have to play Venezuela (2-2) tomorrow to determine the other finalist. The loser of tomorrow’s game will be awarded the bronze medal.
“It’s definitely a tough loss to take,” said Canadian Manager André Lachance. “We’ll have to erase this loss from our memories real quick and focus on Venezuela.”
Team USA got things going in the top of the fourth as they loaded the bases before a single up-the-middle with two out scored two and a third run came in on the play on a throwing error. Canadian starting pitcher Jessica Bérubé (Québec City, QC) had allowed back-to-back singles with one out before a two out walk loaded the bases.
Bérubé was strong through three shutout innings to start the game as she struck out five batters and allowed just one hit before the United States opened the scoring in the fourth. Bérubé took the loss, but had a solid outing overall as she lasted five and one-third innings and allowed five hits and two walks, while fanning seven. She was charged with two earned runs.
“Jessica was fresh and ready (tonight) and did a good job for us,” said Lachance. “I was proud of her it was a great performance.”
"I had a good fastball (today) and pitched a lot of strikes," added Bérubé. “I’m happy with my performance, but the team lost and that’s all that matters.”
Claire Eccles (Surrey, BC) took over for Bérubé with one out and a runner on first and promptly picked off the runner before even throwing a pitch. She went one and two-thirds innings and walked two batters.
Canada had a glorious opportunity to get back into the game after they loaded the bases in the fifth with nobody out, but a ground ball back to the pitcher that went for a double play followed by a strikeout got the United States out of the inning with no damage done.
Down three runs and with their backs against the wall in the bottom of the seventh, Canada finally broke through as Nicole Luchanksi (Edmonton, AB) lined a double to centre that scored Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, ON) from second base and put runners on second and third with nobody out. That would be all that Canada would get, however as Team USA’s Sarah Hudek retired the next three batters to end the game and earn the save.
“We have a resilient team here with many players having been through these types of situations before,” explained Lachance. “I’m confident in our group and know that we’ll come out strong against Venezuela tomorrow.
“Anything beyond tomorrow’s game, we’ll worry about after.”
UP NEXT: The Canada vs Venezuela is set for tomorrow night (7pm ET) at President’s Choice Ajax Pan Am Ball Park…The only way to follow this game is through Baseball Canada’s Twitter account (@baseballcanada)…For tournament standings, results and statistics, please click here.
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