The host team from Kirkland defeated Canada 8-4 during its first game of the Junior Softball World Series Sunday at Everest Park in Kirkland.

The final game of the opening day of play saw no lead changes but a tense bottom of the third inning as Kirkland nearly gave up a five-run lead.

The host team began the game by slapping the ball around for two big first-inning runs. Emma Pruss picked up two RBIs with a single to center field.

Kirkland extended the lead with three runs during the top of the third. A double by Anastasia Kotsakis scored Tori Bivens. Then, a Mya Schaaf single scored Kotsakis and Pruss.

But Canada came back strong with four runs of its own during the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to just one run, 5-4.

Kirkland put the game out of reach with an unearned run and a sacrifice fly by Bivens during the fourth inning. The host team would push the lead back to four runs as Olivia Rudolph single home Pruss during the fifth inning.

Bivens slammed the door on Canada from the pitching circle with three strong innings to complete the victory for the host team. It was the second loss on the day for Canada, which lost to Central to open play, 7-6.

Kirkland will play its second game of pool play on Monday at 10:45 a.m. as it takes on the team representing Asia-Pacific.

Other results from Sunday include:

Europe-Africa 5, Latin America 1

Central 7, Canada 6

West 5, East 3

Southeast 4, Asia-Pacific 3