Redmond beats Canada, evens record at 1-1 in Junior Softball World Series

Redmond’s coaches wanted to make sure their team’s uniforms made it into the laundry basket after Monday’s game.

They hit the ball hard, aggressively ran the bases and got extra dirty on their slides — head and feet first.

The locals rebounded from a loss to Asia Pacific in their opening game of the Junior Softball World Series to defeat Canada, 18-0, on Monday morning at Everest Park in Kirkland.

Redmond, which lost 10-7 on Sunday, evened its record at 1-1 in Pool A and will next take on Central at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Natalia Farago’s two-RBI double got things started for Redmond versus Canada in the top of the first and the hosts rolled from there. From the mound, Farago surrendered just one hit and struck out six in the five-inning, run-rule game.

“Today, we were a lot more confident than we were yesterday. I feel like we were kind of antsy, like nervous to play, but today we just came out and played the game we usually play,” said Ella Claus, who had four hits, three RBIs and scored three runs against Canada. “(We were) very positive, we brushed off everything that happened yesterday — it was a new day.”

Redmond tallied 13 hits, including two each from Farago and Hannah Price and a double from Sundis Cole. Karli Kostoff and Kimora Johnson scored three runs each, Farago had three RBIs and Price had two RBIs.

Redmond was solid defensively and Claus’ high-reaching catch in center field in the fourth inning drew loud cheers from the host fans.

Left-handed catcher Johnson said the girls aspired to play a clean, error-free game on Monday, and they did. She added that it’s nice to know that Redmond’s players are there to back each other up if mistakes are made.

Their uniforms were far from clean, however.

“I’m usually pretty dirty after, just remember to cover my mouth when I dive back to bases,” Johnson said with a laugh.

If Redmond is to notch some more wins, the girls will need to play relaxed ball, Claus said. She’s excited to look into the grandstand and see friends and family providing support.

The 20th annual international softball gathering will run through Aug. 4 and features squads from Bacolod City, Philippines; Ponoka, Canada; Bologna, Italy; Caomo, Puerto Rico; Poland, Ohio; Cranston, Rhode Island; Tampa, Florida; Smithville, Texas; Santa Clara, Utah: and of course, Redmond.

“It’s really cool, it’s really nice ‘cause there’s not a lot of times you can play teams internationally,” Johnson said. “(It’s a) once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not everybody gets to do it. All the girls are really nice.”

Against Asia Pacific, Redmond scored two runs in the top of the seventh to inch closer, but they left the bases loaded. Grace Haegele had three hits and three RBIs; and Annika Dayberry, Farago and Johnson had two hits each. Haegele, Johnson and Claus all tripled.