2026 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group Stage

Prague, Czechia — Team Canada is headed to the 2027 WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals after earning a hard-fought 8-7 extra-inning victory over Chinese Taipei in the Playoff Round on Saturday morning. The win clinches Canada’s place in the Finals, set to take place from April 5 to 11, 2027 in Redcliffe, Australia.

A Fast Start

Canada wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard, putting up five runs in the opening inning. Emma Entzminger led off the rally with a single before Kelsey Harshman was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. Erika Polidori followed with an RBI single, and after a defensive miscue brought in another run, Kianna Jones delivered the big blow with a two-run home run to left field. Grace Messmer later added an RBI single to cap the five-run frame.

Back-and-Forth Battle

Chinese Taipei answered in the middle innings, scoring twice in the third and adding key runs in the fifth and sixth to even the score. Canada, meanwhile, continued to apply pressure offensively but was unable to add to its early lead until later in the game.

Under the WBSC tie-break format, both teams traded runs in the eighth inning. Larissa Franklin lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home a run for Canada, but Chinese Taipei responded to keep the game tied and force a ninth inning.

Clutch in Extra Innings

Canada regained control in the top of the ninth. With the automatic runner in place, Janet Leung laid down a bunt single before Kianna Jones brought home a run with a groundout. C.C. Wong followed with a clutch RBI single to extend the lead to 8-6.

Chinese Taipei mounted one final push in the bottom half, scoring once and putting the tying run on base, but Canada held firm defensively to secure the win and punch its ticket to the 2027 Finals.

By the Numbers

Canada: 8 runs, 8 hits
Chinese Taipei: 7 runs, 13 hits
Home Runs (CAN): Jones (1)
RBIs (CAN): Jones (3), Polidori (1), Messmer (1), Franklin (1), Wong (1)
Strikeouts (REIMER): 6

Key Performers

Kianna Jones: 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
Erika Polidori: 2-for-4, RBI
C.C. Wong: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
Grace Messmer: 1-for-4, RBI, run
Janet Leung: 1-for-4, 2 runs

In the Circle

Morgan Reimer earned the win with a strong 6.2 innings of work, allowing four runs (two earned) while striking out six. Sara Groenewegen and Dawn Bodrug combined in relief to finish the game, closing out the final innings under pressure to secure the victory.