THUNDER BAY, Ontario - Naomi Ryan went 2-for-2 with two RBI singles to lead the USA Baseball Women’s National Team to a 2-0 win over Mexico in its final game of Group A play at the 2023 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s Baseball World Cup at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
With the victory, Team USA finishes Group A play with an undefeated 5-0 record.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In typical form, Alex Hugo got the USA offense going early as she doubled down the left field line for the first hit of the game. Ryan then stepped to the plate and drove Hugo in with a base hit that gave the U.S. the early 1-0 lead.
- Team USA starting pitcher Elise Berger recorded three strikeouts across the next two innings as she continued to hold off the Mexico offense.
- The U.S. put its second run of the game on the board in the bottom of the third when Ryan picked up her second single of the day, once again allowing Hugo to cross the plate to make it 2-0 in favor of the stars and stripes.
- After a scoreless fourth, Niki Eckert took the mound for Team USA and struck out one batter while continuing to hold off any Mexico offensive threat.
- Olivia Pichardo made a one-inning relief appearance in the sixth and punched out consecutive batters to end the top-half of the frame.
- Veteran reliever Meggie Meidlinger entered in the seventh and struck out two in a three up, three down inning to seal the 2-0 victory for the red, white and blue.
NOTABLE STATS
- Hugo went a perfect 2-for-2 with a single, double, and two runs scored.
- Remi Schaber added a double for the Team USA offense.
- Kelsie Whitmore tallied two stolen bases and a walk for the U.S.
- Berger, Eckert, Meidlinger, and Pichardo combined to allow just one hit in the shutout victory.
- Team USA produced a shutout in each of its last four games, only allowing two runs in the entire week.
ON DECK
This concludes Group A play at the 2023 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup. Team USA will return to action next summer as it seeks a gold medal in the 2024 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals.
