Oklahoma City, Okla. – The Quick Story:

The Canadian Men’s and Women’s Slo-Pitch Border Battle teams wrapped up Border Battle XVI with hard-fought efforts against Team USA in Saturday night’s championship matchups but ultimately fell short against a powerful American lineup in both contests.

The Canadian Women entered the final with momentum following a pair of round-robin victories, including a dramatic one-run win earlier in the day over Indiana. Meanwhile, the Men’s team showed offensive flashes throughout the tournament, highlighted by big-scoring performances, but ran into a red-hot U.S. offence in the final. Despite early pushback in both games, the Americans capitalized on big innings to secure the 2026 titles.

Key Moments – Women’s Border Battle vs. USA

Canada jumped out to a strong start in the top of the first inning, plating five runs to match the Americans early and send a message offensively. Sam Middleton led the charge with a key bases-clearing triple, while Jacqueline O’Quinn and Cassidy Affeldt added RBI contributions to help Canada build early momentum.

However, the game shifted dramatically in the bottom of the second inning when the United States erupted for 16 runs, breaking the game open. Despite Canada adding two more runs in the third, the Americans continued to apply pressure offensively and closed out the game after four innings.

Notes:

• Sam Middleton went 2-for-2 with 3 RBI, including a triple.
• Jacqueline O’Quinn reached base twice, scoring twice and driving in a run.
• Cassidy Affeldt collected a triple and an RBI.
• Seven different Canadian players recorded hits in the game.

Result: United States 27 vs. Canada 7

Key Moments – Men’s Border Battle vs. USA

Canada came out swinging in the opening frame, scoring six runs, highlighted by early home runs from Justin Pennell and Hunter Platten to take an early lead.

The Americans responded immediately with nine runs in the bottom half of the inning and never relinquished control, adding nine more in the second. While Canada continued to battle, with Pennell staying hot at the plate and multi-hit efforts throughout the lineup, the U.S. offence proved relentless, tallying runs in every inning to pull away.

Canada added four runs in the third and two more in the fourth, but the deficit proved too large to overcome as the game ended after four innings.

Notes:

• Justin Pennell led Canada with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, including two home runs and 4 RBI.
• Hunter Platten went 3-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI.
• Massimo Peranio added three hits, including a home run, and drove in a run.
• Nine Canadian batters recorded hits in a 16-hit team performance.

Result: United States 32 vs. Canada 12