U.S. softball beats Canada 9-5

The United States beat Canada 9-5 Saturday in its first exhibition game against an Olympic opponent this year.

Saturday, June 7th 2008, 11:32 pm

By: News 9


Associated Press

Crystl Bustos hit a three-run home run and Andrea Duran had the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the sixth inning to help the United States beat Canada 9-5 Saturday in its first exhibition game against an Olympic opponent this year.

The U.S. had trailed only four times in 39 games before pulling out a 10-8 victory against a team of pro softball All-Stars the previous night, and the Canadians became the first team to hold two separate leads against the three-time Olympic gold medalists.

Natasha Watley scored on a Dione Meier's wild pitch to tie it at 5, and Duran followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to put the U.S. back on top. Bustos then cleared the bases with her 20th home run in 41 games this season. It landed about a dozen rows up in the left-field stands.

Kelly Kretschman was 2-for-2 and drove in three runs as the U.S. needed its offensive firepower for the second straight game.

Alison Bradley gave Canada a 5-4 lead with a two-run single to center field to cap a four-run rally in the fifth inning. Monica Abbott had retired 12 straight batters before walking the bases loaded with one out.

Jennifer Yee then smashed a single that ricocheted off first baseman Tairia Flowers and into right field. Kretschman's throw to the plate was in time to prevent a second run from scoring, but all three Canadian runners were able to safely retreat one base.

Jennie Finch (13-1) allowed another run to score on a wild pitch, and Bradley's line single to center field gave the Canadians the lead.

Canada also led 1-0 on Sheena Lawrick's first-inning RBI single, but Kretschman answered it in the bottom of the inning and then had a two-run single in the fourth to give the U.S. a 4-1 lead.

In two games this weekend, the U.S. has given up more runs than in its previous 39 games on the nationwide "Bound 4 Beijing" warmup tour. Cat Osterman and Finch combined to give up four home runs to the National Pro Fastpitch All-Stars on Friday night, when the U.S. had to rally from a four-run deficit.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

June 7th, 2008

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024