OKLAHOMA CITY — Lauren Gibson hit a two-run homer and scored three runs and Raven Chavanne had a single and a run as the two Tennessee legends led Team USA past Canada, 7-0, on Thursday in the General Tire World Cup of Softball VIII at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.
Gibson hit a two-run blast in the top of the sixth and finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs. Chavanne was 1-for-3 with a run and a stolen base.
Chavanne and Gibson both started the game, batting second and third, respectively.
Gibson enjoyed a hot start, hitting a one-out single through the left side in her first at-bat in the first inning. With Lauren Chamberlain at-bat, Gibson stole second base. She scored Team USA’s second run when Valerie Arioto hit a two-RBI single.
In the second inning, Chavanne recorded her first hit with the U.S. National Team, legging out an infield single before stealing second. Gibson was hit by a pitch on an 0-2 count in the next at-bat, giving the U.S. two Lady Vols on base with two outs. Both advanced on a wild pitch and Chavanne later scored on an error at short. Gibson extended Team USA’s lead to 4-0 on a double steal attempt in the following at-bat.
In the top of the sixth, the U.S. had two outs and Taylor Hoagland on first base when Gibson stepped in. She let out her customary yell as she swung her bat at a 0-2 pitch, drilling a two-run blast over the wall in center field. With the homer, Team USA enjoyed the 7-0 advantage.
The U.S. National Team will face Australia on Friday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Courtesy of Stephen K. Lee – University of Tennessee Media Relations
