August 31, 2018: Daphnée Gélinas leads Canada to World Cup bronze in thrilling win over USA

From left: Ashley Stephenson, Kaitlyn Ross, and Alli Schroder celebrate Canada’s win over Team USA in the 2018 Women’s Baseball World Cup. (Courtesy of the World Baseball Softball Confederation)

Team Canada was looking for revenge in the Bronze Medal game of the 2018 Women’s Baseball World Cup. The Canadians—ranked second in the world—were facing the third-ranked squad from the United States two days after the Americans had easily defeated them, 5-1.1 The Canadian team, which had been energized by the eight teenagers on its 20-woman roster,2 was relegated to the underdog role in the rematch. But the resilient Canadians bounced back in the battle for Bronze, as the youngsters sparked a dramatic come-from-behind extra-inning victory.

This was the eighth edition of the Women’s Baseball World Cup, which had been played in the even-numbered years since 2004.3 Canada had gone 5-3 in the 2018 tournament on the strength of a high-powered offense that batted .388, the second-best mark in the 12-team competition.

The Canadian roster had only three players who were 30 or older. Two of them had participated in all eight World Cups: 35-year-old third basewoman Ashley Stephenson and 32-year-old first basewoman Kate Psota.4 At the other end of the spectrum, the two youngest players on the team, pitcher Alli Schroder and infielder Emma March, had turned 16 less than five months earlier.5

The Americans came loaded with an experienced roster anchored by 37-year-old first basewoman Malaika Underwood, who was playing in her seventh World Cup.6 Three of their players—outfielder Kelsie Whitmore, pitcher Stacy Piagno, and catcher Anna Kimbrell—had recently played professionally with men on the Sonoma Stompers of the independent Pacific Association.7 The only two teenagers on the American roster, 17-year-olds Ashton Lansdell and Emily Tsujikawa, saw limited action in the tournament.8

The United States had gone 6-2 to qualify for the Bronze Medal game, largely because of its outstanding pitching staff. The American hurlers allowed only seven earned runs in eight games, and they showed good control, walking only 16 batters. Although its hitting wasn’t as deep as Canada’s,9 the United States boasted some powerful hitters, including Megan Baltzell. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger came into the game hitting .542 and leading the tournament in homers (2), slugging percentage (.958) and RBIs (11).10

The Americans handed the ball to 27-year-old right-hander Brittany Schutte. The 5-foot-10 hurler had been a catcher on the University of Florida’s softball team before joining Team USA.11 Schutte was making her second appearance of the tournament; eight days earlier she tossed three scoreless innings in a 18-0 rout of the Netherlands.

Amanda “Ace” Asay, a former softball and ice hockey player at Brown University, got the start for Canada.12 She was pitching on only two days’ rest after throwing a one-hit shutout against Venezuela, the fifth-place finisher.

The 30-year-old right-hander—the third oldest player on the Canadian roster − was participating in her seventh World Cup.13 Asay had been named to the all-tournament team at first base in her World Cup debut in 2006, which helped earn her the team’s MVP Award.14 Ten years later she won a second women’s national team MVP Award as a pitcher.

Asay got off to a rocky start in the bottom of the first. A walk and her own throwing error on a potential double-play comebacker put runners on first and third with one out for the dangerous Baltzell. After Asay fell behind in the count 3-and-0, Canadian manager André Lachance called for an intentional walk to load the bases.15 Lachance wasn’t going to let the red-hot Baltzell beat his team—this was the first of three intentional walks she was issued in the game.16

The next batter, designated hitter Michelle Cobb, hit a line drive into center field for an RBI single. With the bases still loaded two batters later, Asay hit Kimbrell with a pitch, and USA took an early 2-0 lead.

Schutte labored through the first two innings, throwing 40 pitches.17 But she got the outs when she needed them, stranding two Canadian baserunners in each frame.

Schutte faced the minimum six batters in the next two innings before running into trouble in the top of the fifth.18 A walk to 17-year-old catcher Kaitlyn Ross and a hit-by-pitch to Nicole Luchanski put a pair of runners on base with one out for 22-year-old Daphnée Gélinas. Schutte quickly got ahead in the count 0-and-2; Gélinas took the next three pitches for balls before fouling off the sixth pitch of the at-bat.

The 5-foot-3 middle infielder from Repentigny, Québec, got back into the batter’s box showing off her usual old-school style: no batting gloves, hands choked up on the bat, and a slight crouch in her stance. Gélinas used a short, compact swing to pull the next pitch over the right-field fence for a three-run homer.19 The 332-foot blast gave Canada a sudden 3-2 lead.

“I was ready for that pitch,” Gélinas recalled later. “I knew she was going to come inside.”20

Asay—needing only nine pitches − gave Canada an important shutdown inning with a one-two-three bottom of the fifth.

In the sixth, the United States put a runner on third base with one out.21 After Asay retired 20-year-old pinch-hitter Whitmore for the second out, Lachance made a bold move: He brought Schroder in to pitch with the potential tying run only 90 feet from home.22 Schroder, wearing her age (16) on the back of her jersey, calmly struck out pinch-hitter Samantha Cobb on a nasty breaking ball on the outside corner for called strike three.

Schroder went back to the mound in the bottom of the seventh attempting to nail down the victory.23 But shortstop Jade Gortarez led off with a single and was sacrificed to second,24 bringing Underwood to the plate. The San Diego native, who was four years older than the combined ages of the Canadian pitcher and catcher, made the most of her opportunity.25 She slammed a double into the left-center-field gap, tying the game, 3-3, and putting the potential game-winning run in scoring position with only one out. But Underwood could advance only as far as third base,26 as Schroder escaped the inning without any further damage, sending the game into extra innings.

Despite the international tiebreaker rule that put “ghost” runners on first and second at the beginning of each half-inning, neither team could score in the eighth or ninth.

Luchanski opened the top of the 10th with a bunt.27 Team USA pitcher Piagno—in her fourth inning of relief − bobbled the ball and threw late to third, loading the bases with nobody out.28 The next batter, Gélinas, lined a single up the middle for her fourth RBI of the game, giving Canada a 4-3 lead. A hit-by-pitch to Anne-Sophie Lavallée and Mia Valcke’s infield single on a high chopper brought home two more runs.29 Stephenson broke the game wide open with a two-run single, and Canada led, 8-3.

Schroder surrendered two unearned runs in the bottom of the inning on a walk and a single by AJ Hamilton.30 The Americans brought the potential tying run to the plate with only one out, but Samantha Cobb hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the exciting contest.

Gélinas went 3-for-4 in the game with a walk and four RBIs, giving her a team-leading 9 RBIs in the tournament, while Schroder held the Americans to one earned run in 4⅓ pressure-packed innings of relief. “I have so much faith in the youth, in our ‘Little Frenchie’ Daphnée,” said Lachance.31

“Asay really bore down on the mound and was outstanding,” recalled Stephenson. “And then Schroder came in with nerves of steel. And she just kept dealing in extras.”32

Canada’s victory gave them four Bronze and two Silver Medals in the eight World Cups. The United States finished out of the medals for the second consecutive time, although it had previously won two Gold (2004, 2006), two Silver (2012, 2014), and two Bronze (2008, 2010).33

Later in the day, Japan defeated Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), 6-0, to claim its sixth consecutive Gold Medal. Taiwan settled for Silver, moving it into third place in the world rankings and dropping the United States to fourth.34

A few months after the Bronze Medal game, Stephenson and Psota announced their retirements from Canada’s women’s national team. “They’re pioneers, they’re legends of our sport and they will be greatly missed on the playing field,” said Lachance.35 Stephenson, a high-school teacher from Mississauga, Ontario, was thrilled to be able to transition into a coaching role on the team.

“The future is right now for this program,” Stephenson said after winning Bronze. “There’s some veterans that were key … but the young girls really are the future and they’re here and they’re ready.”36

Author’s note

This article is dedicated to the memory of Amanda Asay, who died tragically in a skiing accident in January 2022 near Nelson, British Columbia. She was 33 years old.

Acknowledgments

This article was fact-checked by Kurt Blumenau and copy-edited by Len Levin.

Sources

In addition to the sources cited in the Notes, the author consulted WBSC.org and Baseball-Reference.com. All statistics for the 2018 Women’s Baseball World Cup were taken from the PDF document “VIII Women’s Baseball World Cup Daily Report #9” at WBSC.org. Unless otherwise noted, all detailed play-by-play information for this game was taken from the article “Canada Beats USA in Ten, Grabs Bronze Medal in Women’s Baseball World Cup” dated August 31, 2018, on WBSC.org or the video of the game, which is available on YouTube. The box score can also be found at WBSC.org.

Photo credit

Courtesy of the World Baseball Softball Confederation.

Notes

1 “Baseball (Women) World Rankings,” WBSC.org, https://rankings.wbsc.org/list/baseball/women/world/2017-12-31, accessed December 15, 2022; “Women’s Baseball World Cup: USA Use Long Ball and Are Still in Play,” WBSC.org, August 30, 2018, https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2018-womens-baseball-world-cup/news/womens-baseball-world-cup-usa-still-hope-final, accessed December 15, 2022.

2 The eight Canadian teenagers were (age in parentheses): pitcher Alli Schroder (16), infielder Emma March (16), catcher Kaitlyn Ross (17), infielder Madison Willan (17), pitcher Elizabeth Gilder (17), outfielder Mia Valcke (18), pitcher McKinlee Kaulbach (18), and outfielder Emma Carr (19). “2018 – Women’s National Team Roster,” Baseball Canada, https://www.baseball.ca/uploads/files/2018%20WNT%20Roster.pdf, accessed December 15, 2022.

3 The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the Women’s Baseball World Cup in 2020 and 2021. As of 2022, the next Women’s Baseball World Cup was scheduled for 2024. “Women’s Baseball World Cup,” Baseball Reference Bullpen, https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Women%27s_Baseball_World_Cup, accessed December 15, 2022; “2021 WBSC Women’s, U-15 Baseball World Cups Officially Cancelled,” WBSC.org, October 1, 2021, https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/2021-wbsc-womens-u-15-baseball-world-cups-officially-cancelled, accessed December 16, 2022.

4 “Women’s Baseball Legends Kate Psota and Ashley Stephenson Retire,” WBSC.org, March 16, 2019, https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2021-womens-baseball-world-cup/news/womens-baseball-legends-kate-psota-and-ashley-stephenson-retire, accessed December 15, 2022.

5 “2018 – Women’s National Team Roster.”

6 Alex Azzi, “Is There a Future for Women in the National Pastime? Baseball Player Malaika Underwood Hopes So,” NBC Sports, October 24, 2020, https://onherturf.nbcsports.com/2020/10/24/is-there-a-future-for-women-in-the-national-pastime-baseball-player-malaika-underwood-hopes-so/, accessed December 15, 2022.

7 All three players suited up for the Sonoma Stompers in 2016. Piagno and Whitmore returned in 2017. Whitmore became the first woman to play in a league affiliated with Major League Baseball when she suited up for the Staten Island FerryHawks in 2022. Jessica Quiroli, “Stacy Piagno, Sonoma Stompers Make History as Women’s Baseball Dream Marches Forward,” The Sporting News, July 28, 2017, https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/other-sports/news/sonoma-stompers-stacy-piagno-anna-kimbrel-kelsie-whitemore-women-in-baseball-aagpbl/jdx55kcn5pxs1hvk4qr6finyk, accessed December 16, 2022; Betelhem Ashame, “Her Baseball Journey Has Just Begun. Stay Tuned,” MLB.com, May 20, 2022, https://www.mlb.com/news/kelsie-whitmore-making-history-in-atlantic-league, accessed December 16, 2022.

8 Lansdell appeared in two of the first eight games, going 0-for-2. Tsujikawa pitched in two tournament games, throwing a total of three hitless innings.

9 The United States had a team batting average of .295 in its first eight games, which was below the tournament-wide .309 mark during the same period.

10 “Megan Baltzell,” USA Baseball, https://www.usabaseball.com/player/megan-baltzell, accessed December 15, 2022.

11 “Brittany Schutte,” TeamUSA.org, https://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/athletes/brittany-schutte, accessed December 15, 2022; “Brittany Schutte,” FloridaGators.com, https://floridagators.com/sports/softball/roster/brittany-schutte/3145, accessed December 15, 2022.

12 Asay had several nicknames, including “Ace” and “Barb.” Canadian Press, “Longtime Canadian Women’s Baseball Team Member Amanda Asay Dead at 33,” CBC Sports, January 9, 2022, https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/baseball/canadian-womens-baseball-amanda-asay-dies-at-33-1.6309141, accessed December 15, 2022; “Amanda Asay,” Canadian Olympic Committee, https://olympic.ca/team-canada/amanada-asay/, accessed December 17, 2022.

13 “Amanda Asay,” Baseball Reference Bullpen, https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Amanda_Asay, accessed December 15, 2022.

14 Daphnée Gélinas won the MVP Award in 2018. Other members of the 2018 women’s national team who had won the award were Nicole Luchanski (2015, 2017), Kate Psota (2009, 2010), and Ashley Stephenson (2005, 2008). Canadian Press, “Longtime Canadian Women’s Baseball Team Member Amanda Asay Dead at 33”; “Women’s National Team MVP,” Baseball Canada, https://www.baseball.ca/uploads/files/Womens%20National%20Team%20MVP(1).pdf, accessed December 15, 2022.

15 Video of the bottom of the first inning can be viewed here.

16 Lachance had managed Canada in all eight World Cups. He had announced that he would be stepping down as manager after the tournament. He was replaced by pitching coach Aaron Myette. Baltzell was walked intentionally in the first, seventh, and ninth innings. Canada pitched to her with two outs and runners on first and second in the second inning. She popped out to end the inning. Baltzell finished the game 0-for-2 with three walks. Canadian Press, “Canada Beats U.S. for Bronze in Extras at Women’s Baseball World Cup,” Victoria (British Columbia) News, September 1, 2018, https://www.vicnews.com/sports/canada-beats-u-s-for-bronze-in-extras-at-womens-baseball-world-cup/, accessed December 16, 2022; “André Lachance Set to Depart Baseball Canada,” Baseball Canada, February 9, 2022, https://www.baseball.ca/andr-lachance-set-to-depart-baseball-canada, accessed December 16, 2022.

17 Video of the top of the second inning can be viewed here.

18 Video of the top of the third inning can be viewed here. The top of the fourth can be viewed here; the top of the fifth here.

19 The distance of Gélinas’ home run was provided by play-by-play announcer Craig Durham, along with its 90 MPH exit velocity and 30.5-degree launch angle.

20 “Canada Beats USA in Ten, Grabs Bronze Medal in Women’s Baseball World Cup,” WBSC.org, August 31, 2018, https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2018-womens-baseball-world-cup/news/canada-beats-usa-in-ten-grabs-bronze-medal-womens-baseball-world-cup, accessed December 16, 2022.

21 Kylee Lahners singled to open the inning and was replaced by pinch-runner Ashton Lansdell. She advanced to second when first basewoman Kate Psota threw wildly to second after a pickoff attempt by Asay. Anna Kimbrell advanced Lansdell to third with a bunt. Video of the bottom of the sixth inning can be viewed here.

22 Schroder had given up only two earned runs in 8⅓ innings pitched in the tournament, but she had struggled with her control, walking eight batters. She had pitched 4⅔ scoreless innings against the Americans two days earlier.

23 Games are seven innings in duration in the Women’s Baseball World Cup. Video of the bottom of the seventh inning can be viewed here.

24 The game story at WBSC.org incorrectly stated that Gortarez advanced to second on a fly ball by Amanda Gianelloni. It was a bunt.

25 Underwood was 37 years old, four years older than the combined ages of Schroder (16) and Ross (17).

26 The next batter, Baltzell, was intentionally walked for the second time in the game. Underwood advanced to third with two out when Schroder’s pickoff attempt got by Gélinas, who had shifted from second base to shortstop in the bottom of the fifth inning. Madison Willan, who had pinch-hit in the top of the fifth, stayed in the game at second base.

27 Video of the tenth inning can be viewed here.

28 Meggie Meidlinger replaced Schutte in the top of the sixth. Meidlinger gave up two singles in a scoreless inning of work.

29 Anne-Sophie Lavallée came into the game at first base in the bottom of the ninth. The 21-year-old made a nice defensive play to open the inning; she fielded a bunt by Amanda Gianelloni and nailed the lead runner at third base.

30 Runs scored by “ghost” runners in extra innings are treated as unearned runs. The broadcast crew did not indicate when Hamilton entered the game as the left fielder, although it was likely in the top of the eighth inning.

31 “Canada Beats USA in Ten, Grabs Bronze Medal in Women’s Baseball World Cup.”

32 Canadian Press, “Canada Beats U.S. for Bronze in Extras at Women’s Baseball World Cup.”

33 “Women’s Baseball World Cup.”

34 “Baseball (Women) World Rankings,” WBSC.org, https://rankings.wbsc.org/list/baseball/women/world/2018-12-17, accessed December 16, 2022.

35 “Psota, Stephenson Announce Retirement from Women’s National Team,” Baseball Canada, March 12, 2019, https://www.baseball.ca/psota-stephenson-announce-retirement-from-womens-national-team, accessed December 16, 2022.

36 Canadian Press, “Canada Beats U.S. for Bronze in Extras at Women’s Baseball World Cup.”