Surrey, B.C. – The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team fell 8-1 to Japan in six innings in the final round robin game at the 2023 Canada Cup International Softball Championship on Friday.

Samatha Ryan (Monroe, N.Y.) got the start in the pitcher’s circle for Team Canada in the bottom of the first. Ryan surrendered three runs over three and one-third innings. 

Japan got the first run of the game off a line drive to third to take an early lead. Japan added to their lead off a two-run RBI to make it 3-0. 

Canada got on the board in the bottom of the fourth off a Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) sacrifice fly to score Kianna Jones (Surrey, B.C.) Harshman and Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) both collected two hits for Canada. Harshman went two-for-two at the plate and leads Team Canada in hits.

In the top of the fifth, Canada made a pitching change, bringing in Nicola Simpson (Seattle, Wash.) Simpson gave up one hit in two innings pitched.

Japan added five more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to make the final score 8-1.

Canada will play Triple Crown Colorado on Saturday in their first playoff game at 1:00pm PDT (4:00pm EDT). All games will be streamed here.