OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Team Canada opened the 2026 USA Softball International Cup on a winning note Thursday afternoon, defeating China 3-1 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
Behind a complete-game performance from Morgan Reimer (Langley, B.C.) and a clutch sixth-inning rally, Canada improved to 1-0 in the tournament and continued its strong international form following gold-medal performances at both the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage and Canada Cup earlier this summer.
Canada struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) worked a one-out walk before advancing into scoring position. With two outs, Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) lined a single to centre field to score Polidori and give Canada an early 1-0 advantage.
China answered in the top of the third inning when Min Ren connected on a solo home run to left field, evening the score at 1-1.
Both teams threatened throughout the middle innings, but strong pitching and timely defence kept the game tied.
China put runners in scoring position in the second inning before Canada escaped the jam when Huiqi Yang was thrown out attempting to score on the bases. Reimer continued to work out of trouble, stranding runners in both the fourth and sixth innings.
The Canadians finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth.
Kianna Jones (Surrey, B.C.) drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a single by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.). Pinch hitter Nicole Rivait (Milton, Ont.) then delivered a clutch RBI single to right field, scoring Jones and giving Canada a 2-1 lead.
After Franklin moved to third, Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) followed with a two-out RBI single to centre field, bringing home an insurance run and extending Canada's lead to 3-1.
Reimer took care of the rest.
The right-hander struck out the leadoff batter in the seventh before retiring the final two hitters to complete the victory.
In the Circle
Reimer went the distance for Canada, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out eight batters and issuing no walks.
The right-hander retired China in order in the seventh inning to secure the victory and finished the game on exactly 100 pitches.
Key Performers
- Morgan Reimer: W, 7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO
- Emma Entzminger: 1-for-3, RBI
- Kelsey Harshman: 1-for-3, RBI
- Nicole Rivait: 1-for-1, RBI
- Larissa Franklin: 1-for-3, R, 2 SB
- Erika Polidori: 1 R, 2 BB
- Kianna Jones: 1-for-2, R, BB
By the Numbers
Canada
- 3 runs, 7 hits, 1 error
- 3 stolen bases
- 3 RBI from Entzminger, Harshman and Rivait
- Reimer struck out 8 and walked none
China
- 1 run, 7 hits, 1 error
- Min Ren: 2-for-3, HR, RBI
- 8 team strikeouts
Watch the Replay
Fans who missed the action can rewatch Canada's opening game against China on USASoftball.TV.
Up Next
Canada returns to action on tonight, when it takes on the United States in a matchup between two of the world's top-ranked softball nations. The game is designated as Cancer Awareness Night at the USA Softball International Cup and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ (subscription required).
First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT (8:00 p.m. ET) at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. 🇨🇦🥎
