VIERA, FLA. - Megan Baltzell (Stafford, Va.) launched two RBI doubles and four members of Team USA had multi-hit games in an 18-0 defeat of the Netherlands in the squad's second game of the 2018 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women's Baseball World Cup on Thursday night. The U.S. improved to 2-0 in the tournament with the win.
For the second consecutive day, first pitch of Team USA's game was delayed due to weather, but that didn't slow the team down. It exploded for 11 hits in the contest, scoring seven runs in both the first and the fourth innings and adding to the lead in four of the game's five frames.
Taking advantage of early walks, hit-by-pitches and some clutch hitting to load the bases three times in the first inning, the U.S. once again jumped out to an early commanding lead that it wouldn't relinquish.
In one of those bases-loaded situations, Amanda Gianelloni (Napoleonville, La.) dropped a two-out double into the left-center gap to score three and bring up leadoff hitter Brittany Gomez (New Braunfels, Texas). In her second plate appearance of the inning, Gomez came up with a two-out RBI hit of her own to extend the lead to 7-0.
The second and third innings brought much of the same from the stars and stripes as they pushed four more runs across to five Team USA a 11-0 lead. The scoring was highlighted by another two-out hit, this time a double to the centerfield wall off the bat of Baltzell.
Baltzell finished 2-for-3 with four RBI, three runs scored and a walk in the contest.
In the fourth inning, Baltzell's bat highlighted the scoring once again as her second double of the night pushed two of the inning's seven runs across and Team USA put the game out of reach for the 18-0 win.
Brittany Schutte (Gainesville, Fla.) got the start for the red, white and blue on Thursday night and turned in three strong innings of work, allowing just two walks while striking out three. Laura Collins (Hollywood, Fla.) gave up the only two hits Team USA allowed as she and Meggie Meidlinger (Sterling, Va.) both tossed one clean inning apiece in relief.
Gianelloni finished the game with five RBI, two hits and a run scored, while Gomez went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Malaika Underwood (San Diego, Calif.) also collected two hits and Michelle Cobb (Wenatchee, Wash.) drew three walks in the contest.
The next game for the U.S. will be Friday, August 24, against Korea at 6 p.m. ET at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera, Florida. The game will be streamed live on the WBSC YouTube channel.
Continue to follow @USABaseballWNT on Twitter and visit USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date news about the Women's National Team.