June 28, 2026
By Courtney Oakes
WESTMINSTER | The power appeared for Canada at just the right time in the Triple Crown International Challenge.
Coach Rob Campbell’s team had no trouble producing on offense on a run to Sunday’s 18U Gold semifinal contest against USA at Christopher Fields, but with a title shot on the line, the power stroke was timed perfectly.
Oregon recruit Rylee Ruppel and sweet-swinging lefty Jessica Slater hit two of Canada’s three home runs — both three run shots — to back a strong pitching performance by Stanford-bound Lydia Berent in an 11-3 victory.
“We’ve been hitting a lot of singles and everybody’s just been moving the line this tournament,” Campbell said. “We haven’t been hitting a lot of home runs — we’ve just had two — but three today, just when we need them.”
Campbell noted the largely veteran nature of his team, which included six players who have played in the tournament in previous years with the 16U team and continued on with the 18U squad.
That experienced undertone helped Canada keep its vibes high despite falling down 1-0 just a few pitches into the game on a home run by leadoff hitter Dawson Blue and 3-0 at the end of the opening frame.
“We were down 3-0 in the game before and came back, so it was like ‘been there, done that,’” Campbell said. “We’re together and we’re good.”
Indeed, with the memory of a rally from the same deficit in a 4-3 win over Ireland earlier in the day, Canada quickly chipped away at the deficit. Leadoff hitter Alexis Kyles (a Colorado State commitment) matched Blue’s feat with a leadoff bomb against USA starter Evannie Flores and Berent delivered a single to score Jenna Hunter.
Berent came on in place of Ruppel in the first inning and shut down a previously humming USA offense in the second inning, which set the stage for a massive second inning rally.
Canada sent 13 hitters to the plate during the frame against Flores (who had to leave after taking a shot off her shin and then giving up a two-run single to Hunter), Shay Kletke and finally Ava Phillips. While the USA defense baked in the sun, Ruppel drilled a three-run homer, after which Maddison Jungers singled and Lilly McLeod walked before Slater smoked a low rising three-run shot of her own over the center field fence.
Kyles — who went 3-for-3 and drove in two runs — tripled in Elle Osborne for the final score of the inning.
“Our bats came out hot and we just came together to make it happen,” Ruppel said. “We put a boot on them and carried that momentum the rest of the way.”
Berent bounced right back to retire the side in order in the top of the third and Canada finished off the victory.
After four wins in which it outscored its opponents 42-11, Campbell felt good about his team’s chances in the final against Mexico, which advanced with a 16-0 victory over Japan.
With a pitching staff that includes Berent, Ruppel, Kentucky commit Kwinci Brown and George Washington-bound Ashley James, Campbell believed his team would be good in the circle.
“I have four stud pitchers and they all are awesome,” he said. “If you ask who should start (the final), it’s just eeny, meeny, miny, moe, we’re good.”
