Canada (black uniform) won this game against Cuba, 4-0, to advance to the gold medal game. (Photo from guadalajara2011.org.mx)

U.S. TOPS CANADA FOR PAN AM GOLD
2011-10-24

Yesterday in Guadalajara, Mexico, the United States defeated Canada, 11-1, in the gold medal game of the XVI Pan American Games. For the first time since 1999, Cuba was a top three finisher, earning the bronze medals.

The women’s fast pitch competition also included Venezuela (fourth place), Dominican Republic (fifth), Mexico (sixth), Puerto Rico (seventh), and Argentina (eighth).

The win for the Americans, which saw nine different players register at least one hit, allowed them to successfully defend their first place finish at the prior edition of the multi-sport event (2007 in Brazil). Those Games (four years ago) saw Canada and Venezuela each be given a share of the silver medals when rain prevented the final two playoff games from being settled on the field. Thus, the Canadians – bronze medal finishers at last year’s ISF XII Women’s World Championship – came in with something to prove.

The third and fourth place finishes may have been considered something of an upset, what with Venezuela having finished fifth (6-3 won-lost record) and Cuba ninth (3-4, out of the playoffs) at the 2010 ISF event.

Yesterday morning Canada blanked Cuba, 4-0, led by a Kaleigh Rafter solo home run and three-hit, seven-strikeout performance from pitcher Jenna Caira, to advance to face the U.S. in the gold medal game.

Canada was for all intents and purposes out of offense by the time they reached the title game, managing just three hits against American pitchers Jordan Taylor and Keilani Ricketts in a four-inning game shortened by the run-ahead rule.

The next edition of the Pan American Games will be in Canada when Toronto, Ontario, plays host in 2015.