Castions di Strada, Italy – Canada drew inspiration from last night’s triumph, securing another dramatic walk-off victory in Game 1 of the Super Round at the 2024 WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup, defeating the Netherlands. 

In the bottom of the first inning, Callum Pilgrim (Abbotsford, B.C.) launched a solo home run to center field, giving Canada an early lead. The team extended their advantage in the fourth inning when CC Wong (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) hit a double to right field, followed by Grace Messmer’s (Surrey, B.C.) RBI single to center, making it 2-0. 

Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) started strong in the circle for Canada, pitching five scoreless innings, striking out seven, and allowing just two hits. 

Canada made a pitching change in the top of the sixth, bringing in Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.). The Netherlands capitalized on two fielding errors, tying the game with a two-run double to right field and adding another run with a triple to center field, taking a 3-2 lead. 

Dawn Bodrug (Georgetown, Ont.) replaced Rackel to halt the Netherlands' momentum, ending the inning with a groundout to shortstop Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.). 

In the top of the seventh, the Netherlands hit a leadoff double to left field. However, Canada’s defense responded with an impressive diving catch by Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) behind the plate on an attempted bunt. A flyout to Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) in center and a strikeout ended the threat. 

Trailing by one in their final at-bat, Canada’s Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) hit a clutch triple to left field. Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) drove in the tying run with a double to right field. After an intentional walk to Pilgrim, Franklin stepped up and launched the first pitch over the right field fence for a three-run homer, sealing a 6-3 victory for Canada. 

Box Score: Canada 6, Netherlands 3. 

Canada will face Japan tomorrow, July 19, at 11:00 am UTC (5:00 am EDT) for Game 2 of the Super Rounds.