The host team of the Junior Softball World Series is not always the best team in the tournament. But the team from Kirkland made a statement during the first day of play Sunday with a 5-3 victory against the team from Canada.

“They were very impatient for today,” said Kirkland head coach Nolan Radke, who’s team had not played a game in two weeks. “They were ready to play.

“There was a lot of preparation that went into this and it is good to see them play well.”

The Kirkland team scored five runs during the first inning. Kirkland players Hannah Walker, Lisa Nelson and Kate Erickson all collected RBI and Walker stole home. Then the team relied on the arm of starting pitcher Lisa Nelson, who threw a complete game, and their defense the rest of the way.

The Layritz Little League team from Saanich, B.C. would not give in though, scoring a run during the sixth and two more in the top of the seventh. The Canadian team would get the tying run to second base during their final at-bat.

“I was just trying to stay calm,” said Nelson. “I was expecting it to be a tough game and I didn’t want my nerves to get the best of me. We are just trying to have fun with it.”

Nelson would strikeout the side during the final inning to end the game.