SURREY, B.C. — The playoff round got underway Saturday at the 2026 Canada Cup Women’s International Softball Championship, with Canada’s National Team continuing its undefeated run and booking a spot in Sunday’s championship final.
The National Team improved to a perfect 8-0 with victories over Chinese Taipei 1 (8-1) and China (14-1), while the Women’s Elite Team defeated Brazil (7-0) before being eliminated by TC Colorado (7-0).
Canada National Team 8 – 1 Chinese Taipei 1
The National Team opened the playoffs with an impressive 8-1 victory over Chinese Taipei 1.
Canada struck early in the opening inning when Grace Messmer launched a three-run home run to centre field after walks to Erika Polidori and Kelsey Harshman.
The lead grew to 6-0 in the second inning. Zoe Hicks drove in a run with a double before Harshman added a two-run double later in the frame.
After Chinese Taipei scored its lone run in the fifth, Canada answered immediately. Emma Entzminger delivered a two-run double to centre field to provide the final margin.
Messmer finished with three RBIs, while Entzminger, Harshman, Hicks and Logan Forman each contributed doubles in the win.
In the circle, Morgan Rackel and Dawn Bodrug combined to hold Chinese Taipei to one run as Canada advanced to the semifinals.
Canada National Team 14 – 1 China
The National Team followed up with another dominant performance, defeating China 14-1 to advance to Sunday’s championship final.
The victory was highlighted by a remarkable performance from Emma Entzminger, who hit for the cycle, going 4-for-4 with four RBIs and four runs scored. Entzminger opened the game with a leadoff home run, added a single in the second inning, a triple in the third and a double in the fourth to complete the cycle.
Canada erupted for six runs in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Erika Polidori, before adding two runs in the third and five more in the fourth.
Polidori finished with five RBIs, while Grace Messmer added two hits and two RBIs. Larissa Franklin collected two hits, and Kianna Jones contributed an RBI double as Canada piled up 11 hits and drew seven walks.
In the circle, Dawn Bodrug and Morgan Reimer combined on a one-run effort as Canada secured its place in the gold-medal game and remained undefeated through eight games.
Canada Elite Team 7 – 0 Brazil
The Elite Team opened the playoff round with a convincing 7-0 victory over Brazil.
Canada scored four times in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Jorde Chartrand and an RBI single by Jana Want. The lead grew to 6-0 in the third on a sacrifice fly by Avery Hess and a wild pitch that brought home Natasha Limbani.
Julia Knowler added a solo home run in the fourth inning to cap the scoring.
Chartrand finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs, while Knowler homered and Want drove in a run.
In the circle, Olivia Simcoe and Annabel Teperson combined to shut out Brazil and keep Canada alive in the playoff bracket.
Canada Elite Team 0 – 7 TC Colorado
The Elite Team’s tournament run came to an end with a tough fought 7-0 loss to TC Colorado later in the day.
Colorado broke open a scoreless game with a three-run home run by Makayla McClain in the third inning before adding two runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth.
Canada was limited to two hits, one each from Peyton Bryden and Natasha Limbani, as TC Colorado pitcher Alyssa Faircloth kept the Canadian offence in check.
Despite the defeat, the Elite Team finished the tournament with a playoff victory over Brazil and several strong performances throughout the week, signalling a bright pool of talent for the National team going forward.
BY THE NUMBERS
Canada National Team
- Emma Entzminger: 5-for-8, cycle, HR, 6 RBI, 5 R
- Erika Polidori: HR, 5 RBI (vs. China)
- Grace Messmer: HR, 5 RBI across two games
- Kelsey Harshman: 2-RBI double vs. Chinese Taipei 1
- National Team record: 8-0
Canada Elite Team
- Jorde Chartrand: 2-for-2, 2 RBI (vs. Brazil)
- Julia Knowler: HR (vs. Brazil)
- Jana Want: RBI single (vs. Brazil)
- Natasha Limbani: Hits in both playoff games
- Elite Team playoff record: 1-1
CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY
Team Canada’s National Team will take its undefeated 8-0 record into Sunday’s championship final as it looks to capture the 2026 Canada Cup title. The Elite Team concluded its tournament after reaching the playoff round and earning an elimination-game victory over Brazil.
Canada will face the winner of Sunday's playoff games involving China, Chinese Taipei and TC Colorado, with those teams needing to advance through earlier contests to secure a berth in the championship final.
The gold-medal game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PDT (10:00 p.m. EDT) and can be watched live on the CBC Sports YouTube channel and CBC Gem.
