Castions di Strada, Italy – Team Canada fell 7-2 to Japan in their second game of the Super Round, placing Japan in the gold medal match against the USA and setting up a bronze medal showdown for Canada against the Netherlands on July 20.
Japan took the lead in the bottom of the second inning, starting with a single up the middle. Canada secured one out with a flyout to right-center field caught by Callum Pilgrim (Abbotsford, B.C.). Japan then hit two consecutive singles, scoring one run. With runners on second and third and one out, Canada ended the inning with a flyout to Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) in left field, followed by a play at the plate for a double play.
In the bottom of the fourth, Japan extended their lead by adding five more runs. A single to deep center scored one, followed by another single to right field scoring two more. A double to left center brought in two additional runs, making the score 6-0 in favor of Japan.
Canada responded with their first run in the fifth inning. CC Wong (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) started with a single to third base and advanced to second on a groundout to first. Kianna Jones (Surrey, B.C.), pinch-hitting for Canada, singled to left field, moving Wong to third. Wong then scored on a throwing error by the left fielder.
Japan added their final run in the fifth inning. The leadoff batter was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and to third on a wild pitch. Japan then bunted for a single, scoring the runner from third.
In the top of the sixth, Canada hit back-to-back doubles by Polidori and Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.), scoring their second and final run of the game.
Dawn Bodrug (Georgetown, Ont.) started in the circle for Canada, pitching 3.2 innings, striking out three, walking two, and allowing nine hits. Katie Korstrom (Abbotsford, B.C.) provided relief, pitching 2.1 innings, striking out four, walking three, and allowing one hit.
Box Score: Japan 7, Canada 2.
Canada will compete for the bronze medal against the Netherlands on July 20 at 5:00 PM UTC (11:00 AM EDT), while the World Championship Final will follow the bronze medal game at 8:00 PM UTC (2:00 PM EDT).
