Pan-Am Games: Six Countries, Three Medals

By SA Staff
on August 7, 2019

The 2019 Pan-American Games are here and it’s shaping up to be a highly competitive tournament.

The United States enters as the favorite but will have to battle Olympic hopeful countries in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico along with Peru and Venezuela.

The are several storylines to watch for in this tournament and Softball America is here to provide them for you. The games will not be televised but can be followed by GameChanger.

USA’s Power Search

After the announcement of the Olympic trial invitees, the United States pointed out a glaring problem, power. Valerie Arioto provides the most pop and Sahvanna Jaquish hit a couple home runs against Scrap Yard but will someone else step up? Haylie McCleney could be the answer as she has the ability to hit for extra bases.

Ready. For. This.

The #USASoftball Women's National Team 🇺🇸 opens the Pan American Games against Mexico!

📍 Lima, Peru
🏟 Campo de Softball, Complejo Deportivo Villa Maria del Triunfo
🆚 No. 5 Mexico
⏰ 1 pm CT
📊 https://t.co/uy59K81c1o @TeamUSA | @Lima2019Games pic.twitter.com/1nTtbzFZNA
— USA Softball (@USASoftball) August 4, 2019

Mexico’s Pitching

In two games against the United States with Scrap Yard, Dallas Escobedo was 2-0 in 13.2 innings pitched. She surrendered six runs and two earned runs on nine hits and 12 walks. She struck out 17 in the two contests.

Escobedo and Danielle O’Toole were both of either the US Junior Women’s National Team or National Team at some point and Taylor McQuillin was once invited to participate at a JWNT selection camp. The three pitchers plus Sierra Hyland will look to shut down the competition in hopes of winning a medal before the Americas Olympic Qualifier in September.

Puerto Rico’s Potential

Former United States JWNT members Alyssa Rivera and Giselle “G” Juarez are looking to make an immediate impact in this tournament. Take those two along with Taran Alvelo, Meghan King, Aleshia Ocasio and Kamalani Dung and Puerto Rico could make a huge splash in the tournament. They have the defense and the pitching but will need to find offense against Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Oh, Canada

Canada, led by veterans Danielle Lawrie-Locke, Jenn Salling and Joey Lye, has not played the United States this summer and would love nothing more than to prove why they are the defending Pan-Am Gold Medalists.

This will be the toughest test they have faced as Team Canada this summer but their experience on the international stage and throughout their National Pro Fastpitch season should have prepared this squad for what’s to come.