The Australian Emeralds presented by Boral matched up with a strong defensive side from Canada, and despite a late rally from the Emeralds, the Canadian team held on for a 5-3 victory at the LG Presents WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup 2016.
Brittany Hepburn got her second start of the tournament against Canada, and continued to mix her pitches well early. It took until the second inning where a Jennifer Gilroy RBI broke the scoreless deadlock.
After conceding an early run, Hepburn and the Australian defence settled into a nice rhythm, but the offence was foiled by a strong performance from Canadian starting pitcher Autumn Mills, who didn’t give up a hit until the sixth inning.
Canada seemingly put the game out of reach for the Emeralds in the 6th, as they scored another three runs, but as the Emeralds seem to do, they found a way back into the ballgame.
After a leadoff walk and a hit by pitch, Tammy McMillan broke up Autumn Mills’ no-hitter with a single to left field and loaded the bases. From there, a bases loaded walk from veteran Shae Lillywhite opened Australia’s account. Another pair of runs scored on a fielders choice followed by an error, and in the blink of an eye, the Emeralds only trailed by two.
Unfortunately though, nothing came of the final frame, and the Emeralds were defeated in their first tight ballgame of this year’s world cup.
The Australian Emeralds now face South Korea in a must-win matchup at the Women’s World Cup. The game will be streamed live on the WBSC YouTube Channel, and shown live on ESPN Australia/NZ at 10.30am AEST (check your local guides).