OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Team Canada saw an early five-run lead slip away Friday night, falling 10-7 to the United States in a marquee matchup at the 2026 USA Softball International Cup at Devon Park.
The Canadians came out swinging and built a commanding lead in the opening inning, but the United States responded with a six-run fourth frame before adding insurance runs late to secure the victory.
Canada wasted no time putting pressure on the American pitching staff.
Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) was hit by a pitch to begin the game before Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.), and Grace Messmer (Surrey, B.C.) walked to load the bases. Kianna Jones (Surrey, B.C.) opened the scoring with an RBI single to left field, and Logan Forman (Brantford, Ont.) was later hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force home another run.
Nicole Rivait (Milton, Ont.) then delivered the biggest hit of the inning, lining a two-run double to left field to score Jones and Messmer. Caitlyn Wong (Coquitlam, B.C.) followed with an RBI single to right, giving Canada a 5-0 advantage.
The Americans got on the board in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Aubrey Leach and trimmed the deficit to 5-2 in the third.
Canada regained a four-run cushion in the top of the fourth. Callum Maskill (Abbotsford, B.C.) singled to lead off the inning, and after a pair of fielder’s choices put runners in motion, Harshman singled home Polidori to make it 6-2.
The game turned in the bottom half of the inning.
The United States strung together seven hits and scored six runs to take its first lead of the game. RBI singles from Megan Grant, Jocelyn Erickson, Maya Brady, and Jayda Coleman, along with a sacrifice fly from Tiare Jennings, highlighted the rally as the hosts surged ahead 8-6.
The Americans extended their lead in the sixth inning when Janae Jefferson launched a solo home run to right field. Another sacrifice fly by Jennings later in the inning stretched the advantage to 10-6.
Canada refused to go away quietly.
In the top of the seventh, Forman, Wong and Avery Tucker (Edmonton, Alta.) loaded the bases with walks and Entzminger was hit by a pitch, forcing home a run and cutting the deficit to 10-7.
However, Rachel Garcia retired the next hitter to end the comeback bid and seal the victory for the United States.
At the Plate
Rivait paced the Canadian offence with a 2-for-2 performance, including a double and two RBIs.
Harshman added a hit, an RBI and two walks, while Jones contributed a hit, an RBI, a run scored and reached base in the seventh-inning rally. Wong drove in a run, and Canada showed patience throughout the contest, drawing nine walks and being hit by three pitches.
In the Circle
Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) got the start and allowed six runs (five earned) over 3.1 innings.
Sara Groenewegen (White Rock, B.C.) worked in relief and recorded Canada's only strikeout of the game. Annabel Teperson (Campbell River, B.C.) also appeared in relief before Groenewegen returned to finish the contest.
Key Performers
Canada
- Nicole Rivait: 2-for-2, 2 RBI, 2B
- Kelsey Harshman: 1-for-2, RBI, 2 BB
- Kianna Jones: 1-for-4, RBI, R
- Caitlyn Wong: 1-for-3, RBI
- Logan Forman: RBI, 2 BB
By the Numbers
Canada
- 7 runs, 7 hits
- 9 walks drawn
- 3 hit batters
- Left the bases loaded in the seventh inning
Up Next
Canada returns to action on Saturday, August 1 at 1 p.m. CDT (2 p.m. EDT), when it takes on Australia in its final round-robin game of the USA Softball International Cup. The Canadians will look to improve to 2-1 and build momentum heading into the playoff round.
Fans can watch the game live on USASoftball.TV.
