Castions di Strada, Italy - The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team fell to Japan 7-1 in the final at the 2023 WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage after several weather delays on Wednesday. Despite the loss, Canada finishes second behind Japan with both teams punching their tickets to the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2024 in Italy. 

Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) made her third start in the pitcher’s circle for Canada in game six. 

Japan was looking for redemption after falling to Canada 6-5 in a thriller on Monday and scored the first run of the game in the top of the second off a single to third base. Japan made it 4-0 later in the inning off an RBI single and a sacrifice fly ball. 

In the top of the third, Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) entered the circle for Canada in relief of Groenewegen. 

Canada got one on the board in the bottom of the third off an interesting series of events. Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) doubled down the left field line, Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) then reached on a fielder’s choice, with Harshman eventually scoring on the throw. 

In the top of the fifth, Canada made another pitching change, bringing in Dawn Bodrug (Georgetown, Ont.). Rackel gave up five hits, one run, with two strikeouts in two and one-third innings pitched. 

Japan hit an RBI single to make it 6-1 in the top of the seventh inning. They added another run off a wild pitch to make the final score 7-1.

The repechage game between Canada and Italy was not played for safety reasons regarding bad weather in the area as both teams had already booked their spots in the World Cup Finals 2024.   

Teams that have already qualified are U.S.A., Australia, Puerto Rico and the Netherlands. Italy and China will advance as the two wild card spots.