MARACAY, VENEZUELA -- The U.S. shut out its third straight opponent, defeating Puerto Rico, 9-0, Monday at Jose Casanova Stadium. Team USA is now 3-1 in World Cup action while Puerto Rico falls to 1-1.

Jenna Marston collected the win for the U.S., hurling two hitless innings in her first start on the mound. Team USA used six pitchers in the win with Wynne McCann, Anna Kimbrelll, Ashley Sujkowski, Ghazaleh Sailors and Clarisa Navarro combining for five stellar relief innings and holding Puerto Rico to three hits.

The offense was paced by Laura Espinoza-Watson, who drove in three runs and Sarah Gascon added a pair of RBIs while going 3-for-4 at the plate. Also registering two RBIs was Malaika Underwood, who was 1-for-2.

“We felt this was an important game for us to perform well in because it’s a stepping stone for the next round,” said head coach Don Freeman. “We’ve been very pleased with our pitching the last three games. Our hitting is still sporadic. We need to be a bit more disciplined and look for hittable pitches. But for the most part we’re playing well and we’ve improved everyday as a team.”

The U.S. opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, loading the bases on a pair of walks and a hit batsman. Starting pitcher Elizabeth Santana continued to struggle, walking Espinoza-Watson to force across a run. Gascon followed with a two-run single to give the red, white and blue a 3-0 lead.

Navarro reached safely on an error by shortstop  Krystle Valliere in the U.S. third. Tamara Holmes lined a single to left to put runners on first and third for Espinoza-Watson, who lined a two-run single up the middle. Underwood belted a two-out double to left to score two more runs and give Team USA the 7-0 edge.

Navarro figured in the scoring again in the bottom of the fourth, hitting a one-out single to spark a USA rally. After stealing second, Navarro took third on the failed pickoff by reliever Marysel Cruz and would cross the plate on a grounder to second by Kimbrell.

Wynne McCann tacked on a run in the bottom of the fifth, singling to right centerfield and scoring Karen Costes.  

Team USA, awaiting its next opponent, will have the day off Tuesday.