VIERA, Fla. -- A tournament game between Team USA and Team Canada comes with a high level of intensity, even before first pitch. That's what happens when two natural rivals, both of whom are among the top-ranked teams in the world, face each other in a high-stakes game.
But extra-inning affairs just add another layer to the drama, and in that respect, Canada's 8-5 win in 10 innings over the United States in the Bronze Medal Game of the Women's Baseball World Cup on Friday afternoon came as advertised. The back-and-forth nature of this contest flipped to Canada's side in the final frame with several key hits, close plays and a valiant pitching effort from the youngest member of the team.
"It's a natural rivalry, which is really healthy," said Team Canada manager Andre LaChance, who had previously revealed that he is stepping down from his role as the head of the women's team following this game. "We don't have to say anything. We don't have to talk to these guys before. We knew we were playing for bronze and wanted to win. When you face the U.S. and Japan -- the best countries in the world -- just go out there [and play]."
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With the game knotted at 3 in the 10th and international tiebreaker rules in effect that allow teams to open the inning with two baserunners, Team Canada placed Madison Willan on first and Kaitlyn Ross on second. Nicole Luchanski bunted off Team USA pitcher Stacy Piagno, who attempted to nab Ross at third, but after a replay review, the original safe call was upheld.
That created a bases-loaded, no-out situation for Daphnee Gelinas, who singled up the middle, driving in the tiebreaking run. Canada added a run when Piagno hit Anne-Sophie Lavallee with the bases loaded. Hits by Mia Valcke and Ashley Stephenson broke the game open.
"I had no pressure going out there," Gelinas said. "I was really confident in myself, and if I didn't get a hit, I know there's lots of really good batters right after me. I was just going there like it was a normal game and a normal pitch, like I've done a hundred times. It's no different."

The decisive 10th frame made a two-time hero out of Gelinas, whose fifth-inning three-run homer off Brittany Schutte gave Canada a 3-2 lead. The homer traveled 332 feet with an exit velocity of 90 mph and a launch angle of just over 30 feet.
"I was ready for that pitch," Gelinas said. "I knew [Schutte] was coming inside. I've been 3-2 before with her. I knew what was coming and I was ready for that ball."

Said Schutte: "I was kind of struggling in that fifth inning, falling behind in counts. I just left it too much over the plate. She put a good swing on it, and it went out of the park. I was kind of unlucky in that situation."
Pitcher Allison Schroder, the youngest member of Team Canada at 16, threw the final 4 1/3 innings, earning the win. The righty yielded three runs (one earned) on three hits with four walks and three strikeouts. She faced 19 batters.
"As we started scoring runs, it was obviously easier to pitch with a lead," Schroder said. "I think that last inning everybody was excited, playing with a lead. So that was fun."
A beaming LaChance praised Schroder -- "our baby" -- for nailing down the win.
"She took the ball and delivered it and trusted in herself as much as we trust her," LaChance said.
Canada, ranked second in the world entering the World Cup, ended the tournament with two wins and three losses. The United States, ranked third overall, finished with a 3-2 record. Chinese Taipei and Japan compete in the World Championship Final later on Friday.
"We know playing Canada, they're a good team," Team USA manager Matt Weagle said. "We know they're going to give us their best effort. I feel like we matched that intensity. I think we let some opportunities squander at the end.
"When you have runners in scoring position, whether it's the first inning or the seventh or the 10th, you have to capitalize on those opportunities, and we didn't. Hats off to them. They didn't give in."
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