HBIC Summer Project: The Gals Move On

While another hockey season is fast approaching as the days fall off the calendar, I fully admit that I had my attention on what was happening in Thunder Bay this week at the 2023 WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup. As I highlighted on Monday, Canada had four players competing for a chance to represent the nation next summer in Thunder Bay at the 2023 WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Final, but these women are also standouts on the ice where they excel as well. That includes the young lady to the left in Kaitlyn Ross who had herself a solid tournament catching for Canada. How did these four ladies do? How did Canada fare on the world baseball stage? Are we planning a road trip to Thunder Bay to watch baseball next summer? Let's find out!

The first player I spoke of last week was Madison Willan. Willan is well-known in the Canadian hockey world thanks to her performances with both the St. Albert Slash and the University of Alberta Pandas. She was on the field for three games this week, though, and her impact was felt. Willan went 2-for-2 against Mexico in Canada's opening game with double and four RBIs in that game as Canada prevailed 9-1. She was back at short against the Americans, but that game got out of hand as the US crushed Canada by a 23-0 score - one of many blowouts the Americans delivered this week. Finally, Willan did record an RBI in an 0-for-4 effort while playing second base against Australia in agame where Canada rallied from a 7-4 defcit in the fifth inning to win 11-7.

Overall, Willan was perfect in the field with two putouts and four assists while turning one double-play in the Australia game. She also hit .250 for the tournament while being second on Canada with five RBIs as she was a solid part of the Canadian squad.

Kaitlyn Ross is also well-known in hockey circles for her efforts with the Mount Royal Cougars this season in backstopping them to a National Championship. On the field, Ross had a dynamite game against Hong Kong, going 3-for-5 with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored to help Canada to a 22-3 win. She was behind the plate after entering as a pinch hitter against Korea where she was 1-for-1 with an RBI in a 10-0 win. She struggled at the plate against Australia where she was 0-for-4, but she called an excellent game to help Canada rally for the 11-7 win. Ross also pitched one inning against Mexico where she faced five batters, surrendering one hit and striking out a batter!

Overall, Kaitlyn Ross ended the tournament with a 0.00 ERA in one inning of work. She recorded 12 putouts in being perfect behind the plate in terms of fielding, and she ended the tournament hitting .400 with three RBIs!

Emily Baxter is looking to push the TMU Bold to new heights in the OUA next season, but she was patrolling the outfield for Canada in Thunder Bay this week! Baxter had a double in the game against Mexico to help Canada to the 9-1 win. She pinch-hit against Hong Kong before settling in at second base, and her efforts saw her draw a walk and score a pair of runs in the 22-3 victory. She was back in right field against Australia where was 0-for-2, but she was walked three times in the contest! Baxter also pitched two-thirds of an inning against the Americans where she walked one batter, but surrendered no runs!

Overall, Baxter finished the tournament with a 0.00 ERA in two-thirds of an inning of work, and she committed one error for an .800 fielding percentage. At the plate, Baxter was 1-for-7 for a .143 average, but that's entirely deceiving as she drew four walks, recorded one RBI, and stole a base!

Sena Catterall skated for the NCAA's Clarkson Golden Knights in the winter, but she's on the diamond for Canada in the summer! Catterall was in centerfield for this tournament as she showed off her range, and Canada certainly benefitted! She went 2-for-4 against Mexico with a double, a walk, and a stolen base as Canada won 9-1. Caterall recorded the always impressive 0-for-0 against Hong Kong where she walked all three times she was at the dish, scoring each of those times in the 22-3 win. She was 1-for-3 against the Americans in the loss, recording one of the three hits Canada had in that game. And she 2-for-4 against Australia where she tripled, walked once, stole a base, and scored three times!

Overall, Catterall was perfect in the field on eight plays that she made for a 1.000 fielding percentage. At the dish, she finished the tournament with a .455 average on 5-for-11 hitting while recording one double, one triple, five walks and two stolen bases! Just to throw a little more shine on Sena's great tournament, she finished fourth-overall in batting average and on-base percentage and third-overall in runs scored!

Canada, as a team, finished Group A play with a 4-1 record to end up second in the pool behind the Americans who surrendered just two runs all week. As a result of that finish, Canada advances to the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup in 2024 where, along with the US and Mexico, they'll compete for the World Cup! Group B will be decided in September in Japan, and the six teams who will compete for the final three spots in the World Cup include Japan, Chinese Taipei, Cuba, France, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.

The 2024 WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Final has yet to set dates, but the Canadians will look to claim gold on home soil next summer when the six best teams in the world gather in Thunder Bay. I'm not saying it's going to happen in August, but I'd plan a road trip for sometime around there if you want to see these incredible women play ball. Having been witness to a national tournament, I can honestly tell you these women can rake, field, and gun with the best of them, so clear your schedule for next summer!

Canada's one step closer to a WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup. Congrats to the ladies!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!