Stacey Nuveman's three-run homer capped a four-run sixth inning to lead the USA Softball World Team to a 4-0 victory over the USA Softball Elite Team Sunday in the Gold Medal Game at the 2002 Canada Cup in Surrey, British Columbia. Jennie Finch tossed a two-hit shutout for USA World, which finished Canada Cup play with a 10-1 record.
USA Elite pitcher Cat Osterman retired the side in order in each of the first three innings before allowing a leadoff single in the bottom of the fourth. In the sixth, a leadoff walk to Amanda Freed and an infield error helped lead to Lovie Jung's sacrifice fly to put USA World ahead 1-0. Jessica Mendoza then struck out, but reached first on a passed ball, setting the stage for Nuveman's three-run homer over the center field fence. All four runs were unearned. The win was the fourth in a row for USA World after suffering a second-round loss to USA Elite. Earlier in the day, USA World defeated teamsmith Nationals 3-1 in the final game of the loser's bracket. After allowing a first-inning home run to Julie Smith, Lisa Fernandez retired 20 of the next 23 batters to finish with a two-hitter. Jessica Mendoza drove in a pair of runs with a first-inning single and a third-inning home run. Tairia Mims' second-inning RBI-single put USA World ahead to stay. teamsmith Nationals (7-2) finished with the Bronze Medal. USA Elite entered the Gold Medal Game as the lone unbeaten team at the Canada Cup after going 5-0 in pool play and winning its first three games of the Championship Round. USA Elite finished 8-1 and captured the Silver Medal. In the Consolation Tournament, California Cruisers defeated Florida Sun Sox 13-5 Sunday in the championship game. The USA Softball World Team is among nine Canada Cup participants heading to Saskatoon, Sasketchwan, Canada, for the ISF World Championship, which begins Friday. The Gold Medal Game is scheduled for August 4. The USA will be attempting to win its fifth consecutive World Championship. Canada Cup Winner's Bracket Schedule/Results Canada Cup Loser's Bracket Schedule/Results (Championship Round)
