Nelson Captures Second Win at Canada Cup
Friday, July 10, 2009 | Softball
Recent senior Stacey Nelson (Los Alamitos, Calif.) recorded her second win as a U.S. National team member as the USA came from behind to defeat Canada, 3-2, on Thursday night in the final round-robin game of the Canada Cup. The Americans enter bracket play as the No. 1 overall seed as they put together an 8-0 record in pool play.
Nelson (2-0) entered the game in the fourth inning with the U.S. trailing 1-0. After striking out the first batter she faced and forcing the next Canadian to ground out, Nelson allowed two singles. Canada took a two-run lead on a fielding error by shortstop Natasha Watley. Nelson forced the final batter of the inning to ground out to third. In the bottom of the inning, the Red, White and Blue scored three runs to take the lead.
With a one-run advantage, Nelson went back to work in the fifth, allowing one hit and one walk, but kept Canada off the board. After a 1-2-3 sixth, the righty returned for the final inning. With two down, Nelson allowed a walk and single to put runners on first and second. Canada's Kaleigh Rafter singled and Jennifer Salling tried to tie the game from second, but Jennie Finch threw her out at the plate for the final out, ensuring Nelson the win.
The former Gator allowed five hits, one unearned run and two walks, while striking out one in her four innings of work.
The U.S. will face eight-seed California Gold Rush at 4 p.m. EST today as the teams move into bracket play of the Canada Cup. The winner will play again at 9:30 p.m. EST.
