For the second straight game to start the Olympics, Team USA shut out their opponent, this time with a 1-0 victory over Canada Wednesday night.
Monica Abbott allowed just one hit across seven innings while striking out nine to pick up her first win of the Tokyo Games. The United States improved to 2-0 while Canada dropped to 1-1.
The only score of the game came in the fifth inning for the United States. Haylie McCleney got on base with a one-out single. After a sacrifice bunt from Janie Reed moved her to second, Amanda Chidester delivered with a two-out, RBI single to right field.
The United States had an opportunity to really break open the game after the Chidester RBI. Her single was followed by another single and a hit batter to load the bases with two outs. However, Canada's Lauren Regula escaped the jam by punching out pinch hitter Bubba Nickles.
In the sixth inning, Canada finally got their first hit of the day off Abbott, and it was almost all they needed to tie the game. After a leadoff walk to Jen Gilbert, Joey Lye came in to pinch run. Sara Groenewegen then ripped a double to the right-center gap and Lye attempted to score from first. However, a sensational relay from McClevey to Ali Aguilar to Aubree Munro gunned down Lye at home plate, keeping the score 1-0 in favor of the U.S.
That would be as close as Canada would get to a run, as Canada went three up, three down in the seventh inning and the United States secured the 1-0 victory.
Up next for Team USA is a matchup with Mexico on Saturday, July 24 at 1:30 a.m.
Tokyo Olympics
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