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Aussie Spirit to face Mexico in a do or die clash

Published Mon 26 Jul 2021

The scenario is simple, Aussie Spirit must defeat Mexico tonight to play for Bronze against Canada tomorrow, a loss ends their Tokyo 2020 campaign.

Coming off the back of an extra-innings loss to the USA, Aussie Spirit will be looking to build again on that performance and come out firing today in the last round game of the tournament. Last night, Mexico picked up their first win of the Olympics with a 5-0 defeat of Italy.

This will be the first time the Aussie Spirit face Mexico in Olympic competition. Previously the two teams have only met nine times on the international stage, with the Australians winning seven of those encounters.

They last faced each other at the 2020 Australia Pacific Cup where the Aussie Spirit defeated Mexico 3-2 with some heroics from Leigh Godfrey, scoring Shannon Keevers in the bottom of the seventh to win the game.

Coming into this match-up, the two teams are evenly stacked. Statistically, there is not much that separates them either offensively or defensively. Australia has conceded more runs throughout the tournament.

Mexico is a team full of US collegiate players, most notably Sydney Romero and Nicole Rangel (Mendes) who played for the world series winning Oklahoma Sooners. The Aussies can expect to see left-handed pitcher, Danielle O’Toole on the mound today against them.

O’Toole has led the Mexican pitching staff throughout the tournament. Dallas Escobedo pitched a complete game last night against Italy and should Mexico need it, they will turn to her to come into the game. Shortstop, Anissa Urtez is another player to watch for.

For Australia, Taylah Tsitsikronis and Leigh Godfrey continue to shine with the bat, both players hitting over 0.350 in the tournament so far. The Aussies have options on the mound and could go with either the experience of Kaia Parnaby or the young gun, Tarni Stepto. Coach Laing Harrow will be wanting his players to lift in the box and convert opportunities they get to score runs.

The game will be streamed live through 7plus. Check your local guides for 7Mate.

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Game times: