Hyland Makes Olympics Debut, but Mexico Drops Opener to Canada
7/21/2021 10:17:00 AM | Softball
TOKYO – Former Cal Poly righthander Sierra Hyland became the first Mustang to appear in the Olympic softball tournament on Wednesday, but her Mexico Women's National Team fell in its Tokyo Games opening matchup to Canada, 4-0.The Big West Conference's all-time strikeouts leader, Hyland pitched the final one-third inning for Mexico at Yokohama Stadium, taking over for lefthander Taylor McQuillin with two down in the bottom half of the sixth inning. With Mexico already trailing, 4-0, Hyland forced a foul out from Canada shortstop Erika Polidori.
With the Mexico National Team making its Olympic softball debut, Canada took the game's only lead with two runs in the bottom half of the first. Canada, which received a combined two-hit shutout from Sara Groenewegan and Danielle Lawrie, notched runs in the third and fourth innings to complete the scoring.
With Wednesday's opening loss, Mexico shares the bottom half of the six-nation standings with Italy (defeated by the United States, 2-0) and Australia (run-ruled by Japan, 8-1). The top two countries in the standings will meet in the Tuesday, July 27 gold medal game. Countries finishing third and fourth will play for the bronze medal.
Mexico next faces Japan on Wednesday, July 21 at 8 p.m. PT (Thursday, July 22; 12 noon local). With softball reinstated into the Olympics for the Tokyo Games, Japan is the defending gold medalist from 2008.
MEXICO WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM SCHEDULE*
Tuesday, July 20: Canada 4, Mexico 0
Wednesday, July 21 (8 p.m.): Japan
Friday, July 23 (10:30 p.m.): United States
Sunday, July 25 (4 a.m.): Italy
Monday, July 26 (4 a.m.): Australia
Monday, July 26 (9 p.m.): Bronze Medal Game
Tuesday, July 27 (4 a.m.): Gold Medal Game
*All times Pacific. Add 16 hours for local time in Tokyo.
Broadcast: NBCSN (first three pool games and gold medal game), CNBC (bronze game) and streaming via NBCOlympics.com and Peacock.
Saturday, May 02
Sunday, March 29
Sunday, March 29
Wednesday, February 25
