THUNDER BAY, Ontario - The Team USA offense used a 20-run first inning to take down Hong Kong 29-0 in a five inning run-rule victory in its fourth game of Group A play at the 2023 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s World Cup.
With the win, the U.S. moves to 4-0 heading into the final day of play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- USA starter Kelsie Whitmore began the day with consecutive strikeouts in a quick three up, three down top of the first.
- In the bottom of the opening frame, Alex Hugo got Team USA on the board early with a two-run homer over the left field wall that provided a 2-0 lead. A wild pitch with the bases loaded scored a third run before Jade Gortarez supplied a two-run double that increased the USA lead to 5-0.
- Denae Benites then managed to draw a bases-loaded walk prior to a Hong Kong fielding error that allowed Gortarez to cross home and make it 7-0. Hugo followed up with a sac fly to center that gave her her third RBI of the inning and bumped the score up to 8-0.
- Remi Schaber got in on the offensive action one batter later as she ripped a single through the left side that scored two and established a 10-0 USA lead. Gortarez then made it 11-0 with her second single of the frame.
- A bases-loaded walk drawn by Kylee Lahners followed before Benites singled into center field and plated two more runs to make it 14-0. With the bases still loaded, Hugo and Naomi Ryan each drew walks and were eventually sent in to score as part of a three-run double by Jillian Albayati that set the score at 20-0 in favor of the U.S. heading into the second.
- Whitmore remained dominant on the mound in the second inning of play, striking out three batters while continuing to hold the Hong Kong offense off of the board.
- Team USA continued to pile on to the lead when Hugo singled into center to score another run and make it 21-0. London Studer then recorded an RBI to move the USA lead up to 22-0 when she was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
- In the top of the third, Whitmore punched out two more batters to total seven strikeouts on the day in her final inning of work.
- After a scoreless third for the stars and stripes, the offense was revived in the bottom of the fourth. A fielding error by Hong Kong allowed the first run to cross the plate and was followed by a two-run homer by Jamie Baum that gave Team USA a 26-0 advantage.
- Hugo then stepped to the plate and knocked in a base hit that scored two before Studer drew a bases-loaded walk that gave the U.S. a 29-0 lead heading to the fifth.
- Ryan took the mound for Team USA in the fifth inning and struck out three straight Hong Kong batters to clinch the 29-0 run-rule victory.
NOTABLE STATS
- Whitmore, Schaber, and Ryan combined for a five-inning no-hitter for Team USA.
- Hugo led the U.S. offense, going 3-for-4 with two singles, a home run, seven RBIs, and four runs scored.
- Albayati, Baum, Benites, Gortarez, and Schaber all turned in three-RBI performances.
- Ryan drew four walks and went 2-for-4 with a single, double, and four runs scored on the afternoon in addition to collecting three strikeouts in a one-inning relief appearance.
- The Women’s National Team set a team record for the second most runs scored in a single game. They previously scored 27 against India in 2016.
ON DECK
The USA Baseball Women’s National Team returns to action tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. ET for its fifth and final game of Group A play at the 2023 WBSC Women’s World Cup against Mexico. All World Cup games will be streamed live on GameTime, and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABaseballWNT.
