Monica Abbott shines as USA Softball defeats Canada 1-0

USA Softball captured its second-consecutive win of the Tokyo Games on Thursday, defeating Canada 1-0.

The United States didn’t get on the board until the fifth inning, when Amanda Chidester delivered an RBI single that scored Haylie McCleney and gave the Americans a 1-0 lead.

.@TeamUSA is on the board!

🇺🇸 leads 1-0. #TokyoOlympics

📺 NBCSN
💻 https://t.co/iNbTljhhqA
📱 NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/SRBtLvXVwp

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 22, 2021

Monica Abbott came up clutch for the U.S., recording nine strikeouts to shut out Canada. The pitcher held a no-hitter up until the sixth inning, when she allowed Canada their lone hit of the game.

The hit nearly resulted in an equalizing run, but a swift defensive play from the U.S. kept Canada off the scoreboard.

A HUGE play at the plate helps @USASoftball hang onto their slim lead. #TokyoOlympics

📺 NBCSN
💻 https://t.co/iNbTljhhqA
📱 NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/CYXxKdrW5I

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 22, 2021

The U.S. will play Mexico on Saturday in the team’s third game of the Olympics.