CNY in the Olympics: Former Syracuse player helps Canada to first softball medal; Breanna Stewart debuts

Amanda Fama

Members of team Canada celebrate after defeating Mexico in a softball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)AP

Former Syracuse softball star Jenna Caira helped Canada to a 3-2 win over Mexico in the bronze medal game of the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday morning, securing the first medal for Canada in the sport.

Caira pitched 1 2/3 innings in the win against Mexico and allowed one run and three hits. She left the game with two outs in the fifth inning and the score tied at 2. The Canadians scored the winning run in the bottom of the fifth.

Caira is the first Syracuse softball player to compete in the Olympics. Softball has been an official sport five times.

When the Olympics started there were two countries considered powers in the sport, the United States and Japan. Canada’s performance showed that it has closed the gap and, perhaps, is on the verge of joining them. The Canadians’ only losses came in 1-0 games to the United States and Japan.

Caira was excellent throughout, making five relief appearances in six games and surrendering just two runs.

With the medal, Caira became the 19th athlete or coach from Syracuse University to win an Olympic medal and the second in a 24-hour span, joining former runner Katie Zaferes.

Zaferes, who is originally from Maryland, delivered an inspirational performance in the triathlon, winning a bronze medal after a tumultuous year heading into the Olympics. She had to overcome grief following the death of her father, who introduced her to the sport and was her biggest fan, a loss that came at a stressful time during the Olympic qualification process.

“He’s so proud,” Zaferes said on the USA Network after the race. “I saw the rainbow before we started or, maybe, it was sometime on the bike. I just gave a little, ‘Hi, Dad.’ I just felt like that was him. I felt him. I feel like he’d be so happy.”

Cornell’s Taylor Knibb also competed in the triathlon, finishing 16th (there were 54 competitors). Just 23 years old, she was the youngest competitor ever to represent the United States in the event.

North Syracuse native Breanna Stewart and the United States women’s basketball team opened their Tokyo Olympics with an 81-72 win over Nigeria. Stewart was in the starting lineup for the United States, a heavy favorite to win the gold medal.

While Stewart had an underwhelming offensive day by her high standards (nine points on 3-for-13 shooting) she contributed by hauling down 11 rebounds and dispensing four assists. A’Ja Wilson led the United States with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

The win was a tough one by Team USA’s historical standards. According to USA Today, it was the 50th consecutive win at the Olympics for the women’s basketball team and just the second during that stretch that came by fewer than 10 points.

Upcoming schedule

Jerami Grant and the United States men’s basketball team will face Iran at 12:40 a.m. on Wednesday. The game will be streamed at Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.

MORE CENTRAL NEW YORK IN THE OLYMPICS

Tokyo Olympics: Syracuse grad Jenna Caira earns win as Canada moves closer to medal game

Syracuse grad goes for Olympic triathlon medal, without the father who set her on this path

Olympics rooting guide: Meet 13 athletes with CNY ties, find out when they compete

Contact Chris Carlson anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1639

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