THUNDER BAY, Ontario – Team USA rode the arm of 18-year-old Jillian Albayati, who threw five innings of shutout baseball, allowing just four hits, striking out three, while walking four batters to lead her team to a 7-0 win over the Women’s National Team
BOX SCORE Canada 0, USA 6
USA’s Jamie Baum and Kate Blunt, also held the Canadian bats in check, each throwing an inning of relief, and retiring the side in less than ten pitches.
Malaika Underwood led USA’s offense with three hits, scored twice, and drove home a run in the three-run first inning to put the red, white and blue ahead. Kelsie Whitmore belted a pair of doubles, driving home four runs, the second one clearing the loaded bases in fifth inning to double the lead. Team USA plated one more insurance run in the sixth.
Canadian starter Alexane Fournier (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC), settled down after the first inning, facing only one batter over the minimum for the next three impressive shutout innings. Alizée Gélinas (Trois Riviéres, QC), and Amy Johnson (Saskatoon, SK) threw the final two and two-thirds innings. The three pitchers allowed a total of seven runs and eight hits, striking out three, while walking four.
Ellie Jesperson (Spruce Grove, AB), led Canada’s offense with a pair of singles, Maddie Willan (Edmonton, AB), Stacy Fournier (Surrey, BC), and Raine Padgham (Abbotsford, BC) chipped in with a base hit apiece.
The series concludes on Monday.
Game Schedule:
- Thursday, July 28 USA (16) @ Canada (2)
- Friday, July 29 Canada (1) @ USA (7)
- Saturday, July 30 USA (8) @ Canada (10)
- Sunday, July 31 Canada (0) @ USA (6)
- Monday, August 1 USA @ Canada 1pm EDT
Streaming for all Friendship Series games will be available via Baseball Canada’s YouTube page.
Friendship Series event information including ticket sales will be available on the TBIBA Facebook page.
Stay up to date with Baseball Canada’s and USA Baseball’s Women’s National Team programs by following @BaseballCANWNT and @USABaseballWNT on Twitter.
Adam Morissette
Baseball Canada
613-748-5606 (office)
613-862-0256 (mobile)