Prague, Czechia — Team Canada outlasted Italy 11–10 in a dramatic extra-inning battle on Tuesday, using timely hitting and late-game resilience to secure the victory in a back-and-forth contest that required more than the regulation seven innings.
Canada piled up 14 hits and overcame multiple momentum swings in a game that featured four home runs, 24 combined hits, and scoring in bunches from both sides.
Early Offence Sets the Tone
After a scoreless opening, Canada broke through in the third inning with a two-run frame. Janet Leung doubled and Callum Maskill singled before both came around to score on an error, putting Canada in front early.
Italy answered in the top half of the third, as Erika Piancastelli tripled and later scored on an RBI single to cut into the lead.
Canada continued to apply pressure in the fourth inning when Erika Polidori launched a two-run home run to deep center field, extending the advantage. Italy, however, remained within striking distance, consistently threatening with baserunners.
Back-and-Forth Battle
Italy chipped away in the fifth, scoring twice, including an RBI double, to stay close.
Canada responded again in the bottom half of the fifth and sixth innings. Kelsey Harshman delivered an RBI single in the fifth, and the sixth inning proved especially productive: Larissa Franklin led off with a solo home run, while Canada added two more runs on a combination of a sacrifice bunt, RBI groundout, and aggressive baserunning to stretch the lead.
Italy answered once more in the sixth as Elisa Cecchetti drove in two runs with a double to right center, setting the stage for late-inning drama.
Seventh-Inning Comeback Forces Extras
Trailing by three heading into the seventh inning, Italy mounted its biggest rally of the game. McKenzie Barbara led off with a solo home run, before Izabella Cimino followed later in the inning with a two-run shot to deep center to tie the game at 10-10.
Canada threatened in the bottom of the seventhby loading the bases, but was unable to push across the winning run.
Extra-Inning Drama
Under the WBSC tie-break format in the eighth, Italy struck first. Isabella Dayton delivered a two-run single to give Italy its first lead since early in the game.
Canada responded immediately in the bottom half. After loading the bases with no outs, Kianna Jones drove in a run with an infield single, and Kelsey Harshman followed with a sacrifice fly to tie the game. Moments later, pressure on the Italian defence resulted in an error on a spinning grounder to the pitcher, allowing Grace Messmer to score the winning run as Canada completed the comeback victory.
By the Numbers
- Canada: 11 runs, 14 hits
- Italy: 10 runs, 13 hits
- Home Runs (CAN): Polidori (1), Franklin (1)
- Doubles (CAN): Entzminger (1), Messmer (1), Leung (1)
Key Performers
- Larissa Franklin: 3-for-4, HR, RBI
- Emma Entzminger: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
- Erika Polidori: HR, 2 RBI
- Janet Leung: 2 hits, 2 runs
- Callum Maskill: 2 hits, 2 runs
In the Circle
Morgan Reimer earned the win for Canada, tossing six innings and allowing four runs (three earned) while striking out four. Morgan Rackel and Sara Groenewegen handled mid-game relief, with Canada re-entering Reimer in the seventh to close things out under pressure in extras.
Watch and Follow Along
Fans can rewatch the full game on the CBC Sports YouTube channel. Game highlights are also available on CBC Sports.
Canada returns to action tomorrow against Australia at 10:00 a.m. ET as tournament play continues in Prague. For the full WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup broadcast and streaming schedule, visit 🔗 https://www.cbc.ca/sports/streaming-schedule?sport=Softball
