USA dominate Mexico, earn second win by run-difference rule

World No. 4 USA improved their win-record to 2-0 in the Women's Baseball World Cup Finals 2024 presented by CARNEXT with an 11-1 win in six innings against No. 5 Mexico at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Canada, on Monday.

USA scored early, and their offence dominated three Mexican pitchers with 13 hits. Remi Schaber went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. USA's pitching proved solid, with starter Kelsie Whitmore and reliever Jamie Baum allowing only two hits.

Despite loading the bases on a pair of walks and an error, USA starter Kelsie Whitmore struck out the side in the top of the first inning.

In the bottom of the first inning, Mexican starter Flor Valerio hit Alex Hugo with one out. The 2023 Group A Most Valuable Player advanced on a balk and reached third base on a passed ball. Naomi Ryan singled through the right side to give USA the lead. Olivia Pichardo singled to advance Ryan to second base, but the inning ended when Remi Schaber lined into a double play.

Hugo walked to lead off the bottom of the third inning. She advanced to second base on a wild pitch and reached third base on Olivia Pichardo's one-out single. Remi Schaber followed with a run-batted-in single to extend USA's lead to 2-0. Valerio then walked Jillian Albayati, and a towering pop by Anna Kimbrell to shallow left field turned into a two-run double.

Mexico got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Dani Leal reached on a double to deep centre field and scored on a two-out RBI single by Marcela Diaz. They would not get another hit.

Ashton Lansdell led off the bottom half of the frame with a single to left field. She stole second base. Valerio struck out Hugo, intentionally walked Ryan, and got Olivia Pichardo looking at the third strike. After a coaching visit, Schaber singled on the first pitch she saw to score Lansdell from second base.

Valerio walked the bases loaded and left for Maria Valenzuela. Valeria Rodriguez replaced Valenzuela in right field. Valerie Perez worked the count to 3-1, then singled up the middle to extend USA's lead to 7-1.

Jamie Baum relieved Whitmore in the top of the fifth inning.

USA scored four runs to end the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Schaber hit a two-RBI single off Dafne Mejia, the third Mexican pitcher. She scored the tenth run on Albayati's sacrifice fly, and the game ended by the run-difference rule on a wild pitch.

On Tuesday, 30 July, USA (2-0) will face No. 7 Canada at 19:00. Mexico (0-2 and facing elimination) will play against No. 2 Chinese Taipei at 10:00. All times local.