Chengdu, China – The Quick Story:
Team Canada stayed perfect in pool play with a gritty 2-1 win over top-ranked Japan at the Xindu Better City Softball Arena. In a game defined by elite pitching and clutch moments, Canada’s offense broke through thanks to Grace Messmer’s bat, while the pitching duo of Morgan Reimer and Morgan Rackel combined to hold Japan to just three hits. The win moves Canada to 3-0 as they took top spot in Group B at the World Games.
Key Moments – Game vs. Japan:
Messmer provided all the offense Canada would need, launching a solo home run and finishing the game with two runs batted in. Canada showed patience at the plate, drawing four walks—one each from CC Wong, Kianna Jones, Grace Messmer, and Natalie Wideman. Emma Entzminger reached base three times.
Reimer earned the win in the circle, limiting Japan to one run on one hit before handing the ball to Rackel, who recorded the save.
Notes:
- Grace Messmer: 1/2, HR, 2 RBI, BB, R
- Entzminger: 1/1, 2 HBP, R
- CC Wong: 1/2, BB
- Morgan Reimer: W, 5.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER
- Morgan Rackel: S, 1.2 IP, 2 H
Canada (3-0) will face Chinese Taipei (2-1) in a semi-final game at 12:00pm China Standard Time August 16 (midnight EDT) on Field 2. The other semi-final matchup will be the United States (3-0) facing Japan (2-1). The two winners will meet in the gold medal game, while the two losing teams will play for bronze.
Coverage of The World Games is available through the event website, the WBSC website, and streaming at https://live.theworldgames.org.
