Livingstone leads Canada in victory over Ireland

Canada opened their doubleheader on Saturday with a comprehensive 8-0 win over Ireland in Group C of the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup at The Village in Dallas, USA. After a tight start to the game, Canada broke through in the fourth inning to take control.

The game remained scoreless through the first three innings. In the top of the fourth, Livingstone led off with a triple to the left-centre gap and was brought home on a sacrifice fly by Chantal Carriere, giving Canada a 1-0 lead. Following a single and a walk, Kenzie Hess delivered a two-run single to left field, extending the lead to 3-0. Avery Tucker added another RBI single, and a fielder’s choice allowed Canada to plate their fifth run of the inning.

Canada continued to extend their lead in the fifth inning. Livingstone reached base again with a single and eventually scored on another sacrifice fly from Carriere. Consecutive hits later in the inning added two more runs, pushing the score to 8-0.

Rylee Ruppel pitched a brilliant one-hit shutout, striking out several batters and keeping Ireland off the scoreboard. Canada’s strong pitching and offensive outburst in the middle innings secured the win.