Host Canada is ending up with the Bronze Medal at the V IBAF Women’s Baseball World Cup in Edmonton. On Sunday afternoon they defeated Australia 17-13 in a mammoth slugfest, which not only featured 30 runs, but also 31 hits, four errors, ten different pitchers and the first homerun of the tournament.
Canada took a quick 8-1 lead after three innings. The team from Down Under cut the deficit to 7-8 midway through the fifth. The Maple Leafs added nine runs combined in the next two innings, seemingly sealing the deal. However Australia didn’t go down without a fight, putting five runs on the board in the top of the seventh. Nonetheless it was too little too late.
The highlight of the game was the first homerun of the event. Speedy second base Nicole Luchansky of Team Canada legged out a two-run inside the park homerun, out-hitting her teammates Rebecca Hartley and Jenna Flannigan, which just had hit back-to-back triples. The two would score four times apiece. Ashley Stephenson and Stephanie Savoie had four RBI each. Bronwyn Gell didn’t stole base today for Australia, but still led her team by going 3-for-6 with four RBI. Katie Gaynor drove in three. Shae Lillywhite scored three times.
