Castions di Strada, Italy – In a nail-biting game against Team USA, Canada fell short, losing 5-2 in game one at the WBSC Softball Women’s World Cup.
Canada put pressure on Team USA early, adding one to the board in the first inning. Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) drew a walk, followed by Callum Pilgrim (Abbotsford, B.C.) hitting a double to center field, scoring Polidori.
Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) started strong in the circle for Canada, delivering a three-up-three-down inning by striking out USA’s first two batters, followed by a flyout to Polidori to end the inning.
In the third, Grace Messmer (Surrey, B.C.) hit a single to right field, followed by Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) drawing a walk. With runners on first and second, Polidori hit a double to right field, scoring Messmer and adding Canada’s final run, making it 2-0.
Despite remaining scoreless in the third, Team USA made a pitching change in the top of the fourth, bringing in Kelly Maxwell for Ally Carda. This move shut down Canada’s bats for the remainder of the game.
USA added one run in the fourth inning. With runners on first and third, a groundball to shortstop saw Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) make the out at second while USA scored one. Canada then brought in Dawn Bodrug (Georgetown, Ont.) to replace Rackel in the circle.
In the bottom of the fifth, USA put two runners on base with a hit-by-pitch and a single to right field. They then tied the score 2-2 with a single up the middle. Canada ended the inning with a flyout to Polidori and a groundout to Harshman.
Team USA took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with a single and two walks. Two runs were scored off a double to left center, making it 4-2. Canada made another pitching change, bringing in Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) for Bodrug. With one out, USA hit a sacrifice fly to Polidori. Polidori’s throw to the plate was close, but the runner was called safe. Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) then threw out the runner at third, trying to advance, ending the inning 5-2.
Box Score: USA 5, vs. Canada 2.
Canada is scheduled to play China tomorrow, July 15 at 8:00 am EDT, for game two at the WBSC Softball Women’s World Cup.