Canada routs Venezuela 9-0 at Canadian Open women’s softball tournament

SURREY, B.C. – Melanie Matthews hit a two-run homer and Canada needed just five innings to defeat Venezuela 9-0 at the 2011 Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship on Wednesday.

Canada (4-2) moved into a tie for second with Japan in the International Division. Canada finishes the round-robin portion of the tournament Friday with games against Australia and the United States.

Venezuela fell to 0-7.

Matthews, from Surrey, started the scoring for Canada in the third inning with a two-run homer after Edmonton’s Jenna Rodriguez was hit by a pitch.

Venezuela starter Daniela D’Oliveira then walked Kayleigh Rafter of Guelph, Ont., and Megan Timpf of Port Dover, Ont., with two out. Saskatoon’s Jennifer Gilbert ended D’Oliveira’s day with a two-run double to give Canada a 4-0 lead.

Canada put the game away with five runs in the fourth inning. Matthews once again was the catalyst, drawing a walk then stealing second base. After another walk to Toronto’s Joey Lye, Kelsey Haberl of Burnaby, B.C., put Canada up 6-0.

After another two walks, Danielle Lopez of Barrie, Ont., hit a two-run single and Golbert followed with an RBI single to put Canada up 9-0.

Toronto’s Jenna Caira came on for the fifth and retired the side to clinch the win for Canada.

Canadian starter Sarah Phillips of Mississauga, Ont., pitched four scoreless innings, giving up three hits and walking two.

D’Oliveira gave up four earned runs on five hits and three walks over 2 2/3 innings for Venezuela.

Maria Gomez gave up five earned runs on three hits and four walks over 1 1/3 innings in relief.