THUNDER BAY, ON – Zoe Hicks and Andréanne Leblanc combined for five RBIs and propelled Canada to a 7-2 win over Mexico in their first game of the 2024 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals.
After Leblanc drove in the game’s opening run on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch in the first, Hicks blasted a base-clearing, three RBI double that extended Canada’s lead to 5-0.
Later in the second, Leblanc, a Quebec native, ripped an RBI double to right field to give the hosts a 7-0 lead. She went 1-for-3 at the plate, and Hicks went 1-for-4.
Canada’s starting pitcher, Alexane Fournier (1-0), recorded her first win of the tournament. The 5-foot-10 righty threw a stellar five innings, registering six strikeouts, allowing two hits and two runs.
Madison Willan also drove in a run for Canada, while Gabriela Sandoval and Samaria Benitez each had an RBI for Mexico.
Rosa Maria Del Castillo (0-1) allowed seven runs, five hits, and walked two batters over two innings in her start for Mexico. Maricela Aguillera, who entered in relief of Del Castillo, threw four hitless frames where she recorded three strikeouts and four walks.
Burnaby, B.C.’s Michelle Roche pitched two hitless innings to end the game for Canada.
The Red and White are back in action on Monday night against Japan. The first pitch is at 7:00 PM ET.
Adam Morissette
Baseball Canada
613-748-5606 (office)
613-862-0256 (mobile)