![](https://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/upload/ar_16:9,g_auto,c_fill,w_1024/opprops/l3ufpgyoweeunwxy6nrk.jpg 1024w, https://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/upload/ar_16:9,g_auto,c_fill,w_640/opprops/l3ufpgyoweeunwxy6nrk.jpg 640w, https://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/upload/ar_16:9,g_auto,c_fill,w_372/opprops/l3ufpgyoweeunwxy6nrk.jpg 372w)
The Women’s National Team proved what it's capable of and allowed only one hit in a 13-0 thrashing of MASH Baseball Club on Tuesday evening at Bob Barnes Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Two no-hit innings on the bump by Olivia Pichardo allowed Team USA to grab an early 2-0 lead, as a balk was followed up by a run-producing ground ball by Alana Martinez.
- A quiet third hinted at a competitive battle, however the floodgates opened in the fourth frame and didn’t stop, as Naomi Ryan took advantage of a bases-loaded situation and found the left-center gap to make it 4-0.
- After a wild pitch and pair of walks made it 6-0, Jillian Albayati stepped up to the plate and sent a deep fly ball to the centerfield fence, giving Team USA an 8-0 advantage after four.
- Action continued for the home team in the fifth inning, as Kelsie Whitmore drilled a 1-1 offering to left, plating two runs and giving the U.S. a double-digit lead.
- Pitching never faltered, as Olivia Pichardo and Elise Berger combined for 6.0 shutout innings while allowing only one hit in the process.
- Kate Blunt contributed to the already-loaded stat sheet with an RBI base knock in the sixth frame. Martinez continued her run of dominance not long after, punching one to opposite field, making it 13-0 Team USA.
NOTABLE STATS
- The pitching staff was nothing short of flawless, as effective outings were seen by all three arms; Pichardo’s line consisted of 3.2 shutout innings, no hits and four strikeouts.
- Elise Berger followed suit and tossed 2.1 innings of one-hit ball, punching out three in the process. Jamie Baum closed the game out and needed only seven pitches to do so.
- Supporting the shutout were the dangerous bats of Team USA that often took advantage of runners on base, as 10 different players scored one or more runs.
- Tallying the only multi-hit game was Valerie Perez, who went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
- Just as effective was Martinez, as the outfielder drove in three runs, scored twice, and went 1-for-2.
- Albayati, Ryan, and Whitmore each collected a pair of RBIs along with a base knock at the plate.
- Anna Kimbrell scored twice for Team USA while leadoff batter Ashton Lansdell went 1-for-2 with two runs scored.