Dallas, Texas – Canada’s U18 Women’s National Team clinched second place in the 2024 WBSC U18 Women’s Softball World Cup Group C, earning their place in the 2025 World Cup Finals. After a tough loss to the USA in the group final, Canada rebounded with a dominant 9-2 victory over Mexico in the repechage game.
Game 1 vs. USA
In a highly anticipated final to determine the number one seed and secure the first spot for Group C in the 2025 U18 Women’s Softball World Cup Finals, Canada faced off against the undefeated USA team in a hard-fought battle.
The game was a defensive showcase, remaining scoreless until the bottom of the third inning. Canada’s defense was sharp, but Team USA managed to load the bases with three consecutive singles and no outs. Canada responded with a clutch double play, starting with Avery Tucker’s (Milton, Ga.) flyout catch in right field, followed by a perfect throw to the plate to tag out the advancing runner. A pitching change then brought Morgan Reimer (Langley, B.C.) in for Danika Nell (Boissevain, Man.). With two outs and runners on second and third, Team USA broke the deadlock with a single to right field, scoring one run. However, Canada quickly rebounded with another play at the plate, ending the inning with the score at 1-0 in favor of the USA.
The score held until the fifth inning, when a couple of defensive errors from Canada allowed the USA to add two more runs, extending their lead. The momentum continued for the USA as they drew a walk and followed it up with a single. In response, Canada made a second pitching change, bringing in Rylee Ruppel (Maple Ridge, B.C.) for Reimer. Unfortunately, another throwing error led to a run, followed by a double to left field that scored two more, making it 6-0 for the USA.
Canada tried to rally in the top of the sixth, with Avyree Sherman (Delhi, Ont.) singling to left field, but the USA’s defense held firm, keeping Canada scoreless. In the bottom of the sixth, the USA added another more runs with a single up the middle, sealing their victory with a final score of 7-0.
Box Score: Canada 0 vs. USA 7
Danika Nell would take the start in the circle pitching 2.2 innings, striking out two, walking one and allowing four hits. Morgan Reimer would come in at middle relief pitching 1.2 innings, striking out four, walking one, and allowing three hits. Rylee Ruppel would close for Canada pitching 0.2 innings, walking two and allowing five hits.
Game 2 vs. Mexico
In the repechage game, with a spot in the 2025 World Cup Finals on the line, Mexico jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning off a pair of singles to the outfield.
Canada responded quickly in the bottom of the first. Avery Tucker led off with a single to left field, advancing to third on a stolen base and a catching error. Jana Want (Stoney Creek, Ont.) then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing Tucker home and cutting Mexico’s lead to 2-1.
Canada’s defense took control in the second inning, shutting down Mexico’s offense, while their own bats came alive. Avyree Sherman started the rally with a single to center field, followed by Chantal Carriere (Brampton, Ont.) drawing a walk. Kenzie Hess (Surrey, B.C.) then doubled to right field, scoring Sherman and advancing Carriere to third, tying the game. Cali Chapman (Houston, Tex.) continued the offensive surge with a two-run double to right field, followed by another double from Tucker, bringing Chapman home. Noelani Livingstone (Coquitlam, B.C.) capped off the inning with a two-run single through the right side, putting Canada ahead 6-2.
Both teams went scoreless over the next few innings until the bottom of the fifth when Canada extended their lead. Back-to-back singles from Sherman and Caitlin Colley (Stouffville, Ont.) set the stage for Chloe Bethune (Lindell Beach, B.C.), who drove in Sherman with a single up the middle. Tucker added the final run with a single to center field, sealing Canada’s 9-2 victory and securing their place in the 2025 World Cup Finals.
Box Score: Canada 9 vs. Mexico 2
Danika Nell started in the circle for Canada pitching three complete innings, striking out six, walking one and allowing four hits. Rylee Ruppel would come in at relief in the fourth, completing two innings, striking out two and allowing two hits.
