AJAX, Ontario- Canada’s National Teams will have a chance for double gold medals at the Pan American Games after the Women’s National Team defeated Venezuela 6-1 to earn a spot in the championship finale tomorrow against the United States.
Box Score - Canada 6 Venezuela 1
Last Sunday, Canada’s Men’s National Team beat the United States in dramatic fashion to win the gold medal and now the Canadian women will have the chance to repeat that feat on home soil.
“We have a pretty special opportunity in front of us,” said Canadian Manager Andre Lachance. “Seeing what the men did last week was incredible and to have the chance to win a gold medal is something that doesn’t come around that often.”
Canada will also have a chance at redemption against the United States as the US booked their ticket to the gold medal game with a 3-1 win over Canada last night at President’s Choice Ajax Ball Park.
“It should be a great game tomorrow,” added Lachance. “We’ve had some good battles against them over the years including last night and that shouldn’t change tomorrow.”
Canada received a complete game effort this evening from starter Autumn Mills (London, ON) and overcame a one run deficit by scoring six runs in the top of the fifth to secure the win.
Mills was exceptional as she allowed only four hits and did not walk a batter over seven innings of work. She fanned three and her only blemish was an RBI single in the fifth.
“Autumn was outstanding tonight,” said Lachance. “Not only did she pitch great, but she also saved our bullpen which could come in handy when we play for gold tomorrow.”
Canada was held to just one hit through four innings, but that changed in the fifth as the offence broke loose scoring six runs on three hits, two walks, an error and a hit batter to erase a 1-0 Venezuelan lead.
The inning began with back-to-back walks to Kelsey Lalor (Red Deer, AB) and Jenna Flannigan (Cornwall, ON) before an error at third base that saw the ball squirt into left field brought Lalor in to score the tying run. Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, ON) followed and was hit by a pitch to load the bases to set the stage for Becky Hartley (Vancouver, BC) who lined a single to centerfield that scored two runs, which gave Canada the lead. Later, RBI singles from Nicole Luchanski (Edmonton, AB) and Amanda Asay (Prince George, BC) put Canada up by four before Lalor made her second plate appearance of the inning and came up with a sac-fly to centre that scored the sixth run of the frame.
“It was good to see us finally get going (offensively) that inning,” said Lachance. “Their starter did a great job throwing our (hitters’) timing off as we were swinging in front of the ball early on.
“Once (our hitters) stayed back they started to drive the ball and we had some success.”
By virtue of the loss, Venezuela will be awarded the bronze medal tomorrow after Canada and the United States go head-to-head for gold.
UP NEXT: Tomorrow’s game is set for Noon ET…RHP Vanessa Riopel (Repentigny, QC) will get the start for the deciding game…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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