Castions di Strada, Italy – Team Canada secured a win against China in their second game of the 2024 WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup on Tuesday, improving their record to 1-1.
Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) would have an impressive start in the circle for Canada shutting down China in four innings, striking out three and only allowing one hit. The game remained a scoreless duel up until the fourth inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Canada's offense ignited. CC Wong (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) sparked the rally with a single to right field, prompting China to replace pitcher Yinan Chai with Yuchen Wei. Grace Messmer (Surrey, B.C.) capitalized on the change, hitting a double to left center, driving in Wong for the first run. Kianna Jones (Surrey, B.C.) followed with a single to left field, scoring Messmer. Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) capped the inning with a two-run homer over the center field wall, extending Canada’s lead to 4-0.
Katie Korstrom (Abbotsford, B.C.) relieved Groenewegen in the fifth inning. Korstrom struck out the first batter but then issued a walk, allowing China their first base runner of the inning. China advanced the runner on a sacrifice bunt and then scored on a single up the middle.
In the bottom of the sixth, Canada extended their lead with three more runs. Harshman led off with a single to center field, followed by Callum Pilgrim (Abbotsford, B.C.) driving her in with a single to right. With Pilgrim on first, Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) hit a triple to the right field wall, scoring Pilgrim. Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) continued the surge with a double to center, scoring Franklin and making it 7-1 for Canada.
China had one last chance in the seventh inning, starting with a walk and a single to right field. They managed to score one more run on a single to left center. However, Canada's defense held firm, ending the game with a double play by Messmer at third base.
Katie Korstrom finished strong, pitching three innings, striking out four, walking two, and allowing five hits.
Box Score: Canada 7, China 2.
Canada now holds a 1-1 record and will face Italy in game three tomorrow, July 16, at 2:30 PM EDT.
