Abbott 1-Hitter Lifts US Over Canada For 2-0 Softball Start

Jul 22, 2021, 9:41 AM

Pitcher Monica Abbott #14 of Team United States reacts in the first inning of their game against Team Canada during the Softball Opening Round of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium on July 22, 2021 in Fukushima, Japan. (Photo by Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images)

(Photo by Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images)

BY KSL SPORTS AND RONALD BLUM, AP

KSL Sports

FUKUSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Team USA pitched another shutout in softball and defeated Canada to begin its Olympic run in Tokyo with a 2-0 start.

Monica Abbott pitched a one-hitter, center fielder Haylie McCleney and second baseman Ali Aguilar combined with catcher Aubree Munro to throw out the potential tying run at the plate in the sixth inning and the United States beat Canada 1-0 for a 2-0 start in softball.

While the loss kept the USA undefeated, it handed Canada its first loss and moved them to 1-1 in Tokyo.

Amanda Chidester hit an RBI single in the fifth off loser Jenna Caira that scored McCleney.

.@TeamUSA is on the board!

🇺🇸 leads 1-0. #TokyoOlympics

📺 NBCSN
💻 https://t.co/iNbTljhhqA
📱 NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/SRBtLvXVwp

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 22, 2021

McCleney went 3 for 3 with a walk and has reached base seven times in the two games.

Trying to regain the gold medal they lost to Japan in 2008, the Americans are getting just enough offense.

A HUGE play at the plate helps @USASoftball hang onto their slim lead. #TokyoOlympics

📺 NBCSN
💻 https://t.co/iNbTljhhqA
📱 NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/CYXxKdrW5I

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 22, 2021