Surrey, B.C. – The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team was looking to secure a spot in the semi-finals on Sunday but fell to Italy 6-2 in the quarter finals at the 2023 Canada Cup International Softball Championship.

Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) started in the circle for Canada. Italy got on the board first with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first.

Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) walked, which helped Team Canada tie the game at one in the top of the third.

Italy then hit a single in the bottom of the third to take the lead 3-1.

Dawn Bodrug (Georgetown, Ont.) came in to relieve Rackel in the bottom of the third. Rackel gave up four hits and three runs over two and one-third innings, striking out one and walking two.

In the bottom of the fifth, Canada made another pitching change, bringing in Samantha Ryan (Monroe, N.Y.). Canada then brought in Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) in the top of the sixth.

Team Canada scored one run in the top of the sixth on a solo home run to left field by Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.)

Italy answered back with a solo home run to centre field in the bottom of the sixth inning to increase their lead. Canada made their final pitching change of the game, bringing in Nicola Simpson (Seattle, Wash.)

Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.)  set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading Canada with two hits in three at bats. Polidori and Franklin were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in one run for Team Canada.

Up next for the Canadian Women’s National Team is the 2023 WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage. Canada will open the tournament in Italy on Saturday, July 22 at 5:00pm CEST (11:00pm EDT) against the Philippines in Group C. For more information, please click here.