Buttrio, Italy - The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team closed out the opening round of the 2023 WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage, blanking New Zealand 4-0 on Tuesday.

Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) made her second start of the tournament for Canada in the circle.

Canada got on the board early in the bottom of the first when Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) doubled to left field to make it 1-0.

In the top of the third, Canada made a pitching change, bringing in Dawn Bodrug (Georgetown, Ont.)

Canada would add another run in the bottom of the third when Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) scored off a sacrifice fly from Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.). Grace Messmer (Surrey, B.C.) then hit a sacrifice fly to score Leung to make it 3-0.

Box Score: New Zealand 0 vs. Canada 4

The bats kept swinging in the bottom of the fourth when Kianna Jones (Surrey, B.C.) hit a home run to deep centre field to make the final score 4-0. 

Bodrug picked up the win, only allowing two hits, zero runs and five strikeouts in five innings of work. Groenewegen finished the game only allowing two hits, zero runs and three strikeouts in two innings pitched.  

Canada finishes out the opening round with a 4-1 record and will advance to Wednesday’s playoff round. The opponent and time will be determined based on overall placement after all opening round games are completed today. All remaining games will be live streamed on gametime.sport.  For event information, please click here.