Team Canada was on the field for the first time of the 2021 season against the Florida SouthWestern State College Buccaneers in a 10-inning exhibition game.

Five Canadian pitchers - Lauren Bay Regula (Trail, B.C.), Karissa Hovinga (Edmonton, Alta.), Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.), Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) and Danielle Lawrie-Locke (Langley, B.C.) - each threw two innings and combined to allow only one hit.

Offensively, Canada scored early and often facing their first live pitching since last playing in 2019. Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.) hit a two-run homerun to left-center in the top of the first inning and Canada added two more runs in the second on a sacrifice fly and a passed ball. Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) hit a two-run single in the third, with Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) driving in a run with a triple and scoring on a double to left by Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) to give Canada an 8-0 lead.

Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) delivered a run-scoring double in the top of the sixth and Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) added an RBI double of her own in the eighth, with two more runs scoring on an error and sacrifice fly in the inning. Team Canada added runs on a solo homerun by Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) and a run-scoring error in the ninth, and Harshman drove in another run with a double to center in the 10th to complete the scoring for Canada.

Regula was in the circle for the first time since 2016 and struck out four batters, walked one and hit one in her two innings of work, followed by Hovinga who struck out three of the six batters she faced. Caira struck out two while also facing the minimum six batters in her two innings of work, followed by Rackel who struck out two and allowed a two-out single just past the second baseman in the seventh before retiring the side in order in the eighth. Lawrie-Locke struck out three batters and issued one walk before closing out the game.

Team Canada opened the scoring in the top of the second when Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) led off with a double and Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) was hit by a pitch with both runners moving up before scoring on a two-run single by Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.). Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) reached on an error to lead off the third and later scored on an RBI ground out by Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) to give Canada a 3-0 lead.

The red and white added a run in the fifth, as Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) led off with a single, stole second and moved up to third by tagging up on a fly out to right before scoring on a wild pitch. The following inning, Groenewegen reached on an error and was replaced by pinch runner Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) who advanced to second on a passed ball before scoring on a single by Lye. In the eighth, Lye led off with a double and advanced on a wild pitch before scoring on a sacrifice fly to center by Callum Pilgrim (Abbotsford, B.C.) to increase Canada's lead to 6-0.

Canada pushed three runs in to score in the ninth. Salling drew a leadoff walk, Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.) singled and Polidori was hit by a pitch to start the inning before Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) hit a two-run single and Lye later brought a run home.

Canada's pitching held the Buccaneers to only one hit over the first nine innings but three consecutive hits in the bottom of the tenth allowed them to score their run. Groenewegen pitched the first three innings, striking out four and hitting one batter. Lauren Bay Regula (Trail, B.C.) sat down all six batters she faced - four of them on strikeouts - in her two innings of work. Karissa Hovinga (Edmonton, Alta.) struck out one, Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) allowed a hit and notched two strikeouts, and Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) retired two batters on strikes as all three pitched one inning. Danielle Lawrie-Locke (Langley, B.C.) struck out three batters over the last two innings, but allowed a pair of singles and an RBI double before closing out the game.

After Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) led off the game with a single and later stole second but was left stranded, the Gators opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when Canadian pitcher Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) - pitching in her first game since 2019 - hit the first batter who later scored on a double to left. The Canadian offence picked Groenewegen up immediately with Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) leading off the second with a single and scoring on a double to left by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) followed by a run-scoring single by Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) as Canada took a 2-1 lead.

Groenewegen struck out the side in the bottom of the second, but the Gators got a triple to start the bottom half of the third and went on to load the bases with no outs, but only managed to score one run on a sacrifice fly as Groenewegen struck out two more batters to keep the game tied. Canada responded once again in the top of the fourth, with Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) lacing a one-out double inside right field line and moving up to third on a single by Hayward, who advanced to second on a throw to the plate. Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) delivered a two-run double to left and later scored on a double by Polidori as Canada took a 5-2 lead. 

Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) came on in relief in the bottom of the fourth and allowed two batters to reach on a hit by pitch and a single on a tapper in front of the catcher but notched two strikeouts to keep hold the three-run lead. Caira issued a leadoff walk in the fifth before the ame was called due to inclement weather.

Polidori led Canada at the plate with a double, a single and an RBI, Hayward added two singles and Salling had the game-winning two-run double for Canada. Franklin and Leung each added a double, with Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.) and Entzminger adding singles. In the circle, Groenewegen allowed two runs on three hits with six strikeouts in three innings, while Caira allowed a hit and struck out two in one inning.

Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) was hit by a pitch to start the game and Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) - playing against her alma mater at Western Kentucky - hit a bunt single to put the two first batters on, but Canada was unable to open the scoring in the first. Meanwhile, Danielle Lawrie-Locke (Lanley, B.C.) got the ball for Canada and struck out the side in the first and retired WKU in order in the second, facing the minimum in her two inning sof work. Canada put two runners on thanks to a single by Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) and a walk by Franklin in the top of the third, but three fly outs kept the game scoreless.

Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) retired all six batters she faced in the third and fourth innings before Canada got on the board in the fifth.  Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) got the offence going by hitting a triple to right, followed by Lye using her speed to get to second on a bunt double. Harshman hit a sacifice fly to left to score Leung, followed by a two-run homerun to center by Franklin as Canada took a 3-0 lead. Karissa Hovinga (Edmonton, Alta.) kept the Hilltopper bats at bay with another three up, three down inning, while Canada added a run to its lead in the sixth when Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) singled, stole second and advanced to third when the catcher's throw was off the mark and scored on a ground out by Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.).

Lauren Bay Regula (Trail, B.C.) kept Canada's dominant pitching performance going by throwing a perfect bottom half of the sixth, and Canada once again added to its lead on a run-scoring single to right by Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.). Western Kentucky broke up the perfect game with a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh and got another baserunner with a walk, but Regula was able to close out the game for the shutout.

Franklin paced Canada with two hits including her two-run blast and Lye contributed a double and a single. Leung tripled and Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) added a double, with Rafter and Entzminger each chipping in with singles. In the circle, Canada's four pitchers limited WKU to one hit and one walk, with Lawrie striking out three and one strikeout each for Rackel and Regula. Hovinga picked up the win. 

Team Canada opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of two errors to bring one run home and a two-run double to center by Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) to jump up to a 3-0 lead. The red and white added to its lead in the fourth, when Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) led off with a single and scored on a triple to center by Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) who later crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to left by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) to make it 5-0.

Meanwhile, Lauren Bay Regula (Trail, B.C.) got the start for Canada in the pitcher’s circle and threw the first four innings, issuing only one walk in the bottom of the fourth with the runner advancing to third before being retired trying to score on an unconventional 5-3-2 double play. She struck out four batters in her four innings in the circle.

Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) led off the top half of the fifth with a single to left. Callum Pilgrim (Abbotsford, B.C.) pinch ran and moved up to second on a passed ball before scoring on a double down the third base line by Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.). Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) relieved Regula in the circle to start the fifth and retired the first two batters she faced, but then got into some trouble allowing a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases but she got the next batter to ground out to third to end the threat.

In the sixth, Franklin laced a two-out double to center and scored on a single to left by Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) to increase the lead to 7-0. The following inning, Team Canada got the offence going with two outs again when Lye singled to left followed by a double by Pilgrim before Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) delivered a two-run single to center. The teams played an eighth inning to give Canada an opportunity to get more at bats and pitching reps, with FIU getting on the board with a solo homerun to center by Carmen Perez before Caira finished the game with a strikeout and a pop out back to her.

Canada produced 17 hits with at least one from each of the eleven batters they sent to the plate. Franklin led the way by going 3-for-4 with a double and a run batted in, with Lye collecting three singles, Pilgrim doubled and singled and Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.) singled twice. Polidori drove in two runs with a double, Harshman had a hit and two RBIs, Wideman brought one run in to score on a triple and Leung scored one with a double. Salling also provided a run-scoring single, with Groenewegen and Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) each contributing a single.

Caira allowed one run on three hits and struck out four in her four innings of work.

Italy threatened early by loading the bases on a leadoff single by Laura Vigna followed by two walks, but Canadian starting pitcher Lauren Bay Regula (Trail, B.C.) found her groove and struck out the next three batters to leave all three runners stranded on base. In the bottom of the first, Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) worked a one-out walk and Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.) later singled before Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) drilled a three-run homerun to right. The following inning, Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) led off with a walk and advanced to second on a single by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) and to third by tagging up on a fly ball to left before scoring on a single by Rafter to increase Canada’s lead to 4-0.

Team Canada added two runs in the fourth when Franklin led off with a single and Harshman connected with a two-run shot to right. Italy got on the board in the top of the fifth, getting bunt single by Brittany Abacherli to start the inning and she moved up on an illegal pitch before scoring on a single to left by Emily Patricia Carosone, making the score 6-1. Canada responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame, starting with a pair of one-out single by Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) and Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) before Franklin doubled to left-center to score one and the other run crossing the plate on a double to left-center by Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.).

Gilbert led off the bottom of the sixth with a walk before Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) hit a towering shot over the centerfield fence to give Canada a 10-1 lead. Groenewegen retired Italy in order in the top of the seventh to end the game.

Franklin had a double, two singles and drove in a run for Canada, with Gilbert, Harshman and Polidori each adding a homerun. Salling, Rafter and Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) contributed two hits apiece, and Lye chipped in with a single and a run scored. In the circle, Regula pitched four innings for Canada, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out seven batters to earn the win. Groenewegen came on in relief to start the fifth, allowing a run on two hits and striking out two in three innings for the save.

Italy started the game with an infield single by Laura Vigna but Canadian pitcher Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) got a strikeout and induced a double play on a ground ball to second to end the inning. Canada’s offence went to work immediately, with Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) leading off with a single up the middle, followed by a walk by Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) with both runners scoring on a double to center by Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.). Salling advanced to third by tagging up on a fly ball to center before scoring on a ground out to second, giving Canada an early 3-0 lead.

The pitching took over from there as neither team was able to get much going in the second, third and fourth innings off Caira and Greta Cecchetti of Italy. The Italians was able to produce a two-out solo homerun off the bat of Andrea Marie Filler in the top of the fifth, but Canada responded with a run in the bottom of the inning when Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) connected with a one-out triple and scored on a wild pitch.

The red and white tacked on three runs in the bottom of the sixth to complete the scoring. Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) led off with a walk followed by a single by Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) before Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) brought Gilbert in to score with a double down the right field line. Wideman later stepped up and hit a two-run double to right-center field as Canada went up 7-1. Italy managed a pair of singles by Emily Patricia Carosone and Beatrice Ricchi in the seventh, but Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) notched two strikeouts to end the game.

Wideman led Canada at the plate with a triple, a double and two runs batted in, with Salling producing a two-run double. Entzminger doubled and drove in a run, with Gilbert getting an RBI as well. Franklin singled twice with Harshman and Polidori each adding one. Caira pitched four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out three to pick up the win. Lawrie allowed a run on three hits to go along with five strikeouts in three innings for the save.

For the third consecutive game, Laura Vigna singled to start the game for Italy but Canadian pitcher Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) settled in and got two ground outs and a pop out to leave her stranded at third. Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, launching an opposite field homerun to left field with one out to give Canada a 1-0 lead. In the second, Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) earned a leadoff walk, stole second and moved up to third on an error before scoring on a sacrifice fly to right by Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.). Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) followed that up with a single and moved up to third after a hit by pitch and a walk loaded the bases and crossed the plate on a walk by Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.).

Canada added a run to its lead in the bottom of the fifth when Polidori launched a solo homerun to center to increase Canada’s lead to 4-0. Italy mounted a comeback in the seventh. Andrea Marie Filler started the inning with a single and after a pair of strikeouts by Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.), Amanda Lynn Fama hit a two-run homerun to cut the lead in half. Brittany Abacherli followed with a double on a shallow fly ball to center, but Lawrie struck out the next batter to end the game.

Harshman had a homerun, a single and drove in a run for Canada while Polidori added a solo shot of her own. Entzminger registered a single and drove in a run, with Lye getting a hit and Salling driving in a run. In the pitcher’s circle, Groenewegen pitched four scoreless innings allowing only three hits and one walk, striking out three batters for the win. Lawrie allowed two runs on four hits to go along with three strikeouts.

Italy started the game by loading the bases with no outs, getting a leadoff single by Laura Vigna, a bunt single by Emily Patricia Carosone and a walk. However, Canada’s starting pitcher Karissa Hovinga (Edmonton, Alta.) was able to work herself out of the inning without allowing a run, getting a pop out in foul territory, a strikeout and a lineout on a great snag at second by Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.). The red and white built off that energy to put up six runs in the bottom of the frame. Harshman got things started with a one-out double to center followed by a pair of walks to load the bases. Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) hit a two-run single through the right side of the infield, and after a walk loaded the bases once again, Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) hit a triple to right-center to score three runs and she crossed the plate on a single by Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.).

Team Canada kept their foot on the gas in the second, loading the bases again on singles by Harshman and Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.) and a walk to Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.). After a fielder’s choice retired Harshman at home, Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) hit a sacrifice fly to left, and a failed pickoff attempt at second brought in the eighth run before Entzminger connected with a two-run blast to left-center to push the lead to 10-0.

Italy got on the board with a run in the top of the third by getting a leadoff single from Amanda Lynn Fama who later scored on a triple by Andrea Marie Filler. Canada got that run back in the bottom of the inning when Groenewegen led off with a double to right-center followed by a bunt single by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) to put runners on the corners and a double play on a ground ball to the shortstop allowed the run to score. The Italians started the fourth by loading the bases with three singles and got RBI singles by Vigna and Fama, along with a two-run single by Filler to make the score 11-5. Once again, Softball Canada responded with Rafter hitting a leadoff single and later scoring on a triple by Entzminger.

In the bottom of the sixth,  Canada loaded the bases with a pair of singles by Polidori and Entzminger and a hit by pitch to Groenewegen before Franklin hit a two-run single up the middle. Italy got a one-out single in the seventh but could not get any closer.

Hovinga allowed five runs on nine hits and sruck out one in three innings for Canada in the pitcher’s circle, while Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) scattered five hits and struck out eight batters in four innings of scoreless relief. Entzminger had a huge game at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a homerun, two triples and six runs batted in. Harshman and Groenewegen each had a double and a single, Franklin collected three singles and drove in two runs, Rafter singled twice and Polidori also contributed a single and an RBI as Canada produced 14 hits.

After a scoreless first inning, Team Florida opened the scoring with four runs in the top of the second on a two-run homerun by Jordan Roberts, a run-scoring double by Aubrey Leach and another run crossing on a passed ball. Canada came roaring back in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with one out on a single by Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.), a hit by pitch to Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) and a walk by Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) before Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) was hit by a pitch to bring a run to the plate and Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) hit a two-run single up the middle. With two outs, Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) hit a single off the pitcher to bring in Leung and an error on a toss to first allowed Franklin to score and Salling to move up to second. An error by the second baseman on the next play brought Salling in to score as Canada took a 6-4 lead.

Florida scored two runs to tie the game in the third on an RBI single by Lilli Piper and a sacrifice fly by Aleshia Ocasio. Team Canada regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) drew a leadoff walk before Polidori drilled a two-run homerun to left. Entzminger followed that up with a double and later scored on an error to put Canada up 9-6.

In the top of the seventh, Morgan Klaevemann was hit by a pitch, stole second and moved up to third on a single to left before scoring on a sacrifice fly to left to get Team Florida within two. Another single put the tying run on first and a passed ball moved the runners up to second and third, but Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) got a big strikeout to end the game.

Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) started the game in the pitcher’s circle for Canada and allowed six runs on five hits and two walks, striking out six batters in three innings of work. Groenewegen picked up the win, allowing one run on two hits and retiring eight batters on strikes. At the plate, Polidori went 2-for-2 with a homerun, two runs batted in and two walks and Franklin had two singles and two runs batted in. Entzminger and Harshman each doubled, while Salling and Gilbert each had a hit.

The second game of the doubleheader was scoreless through four complete innings as Canada’s Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) held Florida to only two hits and a walks, while the Canadian offence worked three walks over the first two innings and a double by Kelsey Harshman Delta, B.C.) in the third but was unable to bring anyone home. Danielle Lawrie-Locke (Langley, B.C.) retired Florida in order in the top of the fifth before Canada opened the scoring in the bottom of the inning. Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) led off with a single up the middle followed by an infield single by Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) before Harshman hit a run-scoring single later followed by an RBI double to left by Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.) for a 2-0 lead.

The red and white added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) walked and later scored on an infield single by Harshman. Lawrie-Locke closed out the game by retiring all nine batters she faced over the last three innings.

Caira and Lawrie combined on a two-hitter, while Harshman had three of Canada’s six hits, including a double and two RBIs. Rafter added a run-scoring double, with Lye and Wideman each chipping in with a single.

In the first inning, Florida got singles from Jessie Warren and Morgan Howe but was unable to score, while Canada opened the scoring in the bottom of the inning when Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) was hit by a pitch, advanced to third after a single by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) and scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.). Florida got that run back immediately in the second, loading the bases with three singles before Aubrey Leach hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game. Team Canada regained the lead on a solo homerun to left by Entzminger in the bottom of the third.

Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) doubled to left in the fourth and scored on a single by Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.), with Lye later scoring on an error as Canada built a 4-1 lead. The score remained the same until the Florida made a late push in the top of the seventh, getting a one-out single by Carsyn Gordon and a two-run homerun by Lilli Piper to cut the lead to 4-3. Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) struck out the next batter to end the game.

Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) started the game in the pitcher's circle for Canada and allowed one run on six hits and notching three strikeouts in four innings to earn the win. Groenewegen registered the save, allowing two runs on six hits with three strikeouts in three innings of relief. Canada produced five hits at the plate, led by Entzminger’s homerun and doubles by Salling and Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.). Franklin and Lye each contributed in a single, with Lye driving in a run.

Canada jumped out to an early 8-0 lead in the first inning. Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) and Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) both singled and scored on a double to left by Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.), with Harshman crossing the plate on a single by Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.). After a single by Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.), Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) hit a two-run single to center followed by a single by Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) before Polidori hit a three-run shot to left to put Canada up 8-0.

Florida was able to cut the big lead in half with four runs in the second by loading the bases with two singles and a walk before Jessie Warren hit a grand slam to left center. The following inning, Florida got a pair of singles before Aleshia Ocasio hit a three-run blast, with Morgan Howe later hitting an RBI double to tie the game up 8-8.

Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) hit a solo homerun in the bottom of the fourth to put Canada back on top, and despite both team putting runners on base no other runs came in to score as Canada completed the four game sweep.

Karissa Hovinga (Edmonton, Alta.) pitched the first two innings for Canada, surrendering six runs on eight hits and striking out two. Lauren Bay Regula (Trail, B.C.) pitched two innings and a third of relief, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks striking out one. Danielle Lawrie-Locke (Langley, B.C.) closed out the game, scattering four hits and striking out two in two innings and two thirds. The Canadian bats produced 14 hits, led by Polidori and Gilbert who each hit a homerun and a single with Franklin hitting a triple and two singles. Harshman had a two-run double, Leung added a two-run single, Salling had two hits and Rafter, Wideman and Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C) each had one.

Samantha Show started the scoring out in this one with a solo home run off of Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) in the top of the second inning. That put the Pride up 1-0.

The Wild answered quickly though in the bottom half of the inning. Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) started the inning with a walk issued by Jailyn Ford. Following the leadoff walk, Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) singled and Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) reached base on a fielder's choice which would load the bases for Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.). Wideman shot a ball to the left centerfield gap for a double which would score all three runners for the Wild and put them up 3-1. Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) came on to run for Wideman, and ended up scoring on a wild pitch from Ford. That put the Wild up 4-1.

Megan Good led off the top of the third inning with the Pride's second solo home run in the game to pull the Pride within two runs at 4-2.

The Wild tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI groundout by Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.), that scored Entzminger. The Wild then had a 5-2 lead going into the fifth inning.

The Wild offense wasn't done however. Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a solo homerun to give her team a 6-2 lead over the Pride. That was enough to get the job done as the Wild defeat the Pride 6-2.

Wideman kickstarted the offence with a three-run double and Entzminger went 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Harshman went 1-for-2 on the night with the home run and also a walk. Danielle Lawrie pitched five innings only giving up two runs on six hits along with 5 strikeouts for the win. Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) pitched the final two innings, allowing two hits and striking out three batters.

The game was scoreless through three innings as Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) and Jailyn Ford kept the opposing offences at bay. The Wild opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) hit a two-out single, stole second and scored on a single to left by Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.). After both teams went down in order in the fifth, the Pride tied the game in the top of the sixth when Sahvanna Jaquish hit a solo homerun to center with two outs. 

The Wild wasted no time regaining the lead, with Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) drawing a leadoff walk, followed by a single to left by Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) that moved Harshman up to third and Groenewegen hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Harshman as the Wild took a 2-1 lead. Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) retired the Pride in order in the top of the seventh to end the game.

Groenewegen pitched five scoreless innings for the Wild, allowing only three hits and striking out two. Rackel earned the win, allowing a run on one hit. Lye connected with a pair of singles and drove in a run for Canada, with Groenewegen producing the other run. Gilbert, Salling and Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) each added singles.

The USSSA Pride got on the board early, getting a leadoff single from Megan Wiggins who advanced to third after a pair of ground outs and scored on a passed ball. In the bottom of the inning, Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) started things off with a single for the Wild, advanced to second on a ground out and to third on a single by Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) before scoring on a fielder's choice. The following inning, Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) led off with a single and moved up to third on an error before scoring on a high chopper to the pitcher as the Wild took a 2-1 lead.

Shay Knighten lined a two-run homerun over the left field fence to put the Pride back on top in the top half of the fourth, but the Wild got both runs back in the bottom of the frame. Salling worked a leadoff walk followed by a single by Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) with both later scoring on a single to left by Hayward. The pitching took over from there as neither team was able to produce a single hit over the last three innings as the Wild took the 4-3 win.

Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) got the start for the Wild and picked up the win, scattering three runs on six hits with one strikeout in four innings. Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) pitched three perfect innings without allowing a hit or a walk and striking out two batters. Hayward led Canada offensively at the top of the order with two singles, two runs batted in, a stolen base and a run scored. Harshman, Salling and Groenewegen each added a single, with Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) and Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) each driving in a run.

The USSSA Pride took advantage of three walks to load the bases in the top of the first inning when Jessie Warren hit a grand slam, and proceeded to load the bases again before scoring another run on a single by Alex Powers to take a 5-0 lead. The Wild looked poised to respond by loading the bases themselves on three consecutive singles by Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.), Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge B.C.) and Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) with no outs, but after scoring one run on an error, the next batter flew out to left with the runner on third being thrown out at the plate for a double play followed by a ground out to leave two runners stranded.

An RBI double by Shelby Pendley increased the Pride's lead to 6-1, but the Canadian Wild chipped away with two runs of their own in the bottom of the second. Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) was hit by a pitch followed by a single Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) before Entzminger scored on a ground out and Wideman later scored on a double to the right field fence by Franklin. The Pride added three runs in the fourth on homeruns by Samantha Show and Shay Knighten to make it a 9-3 game, and added a solo blast in the sixth. Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh but the Wild rally was cut short with a 10-5 final score.

Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) struck out the first batter of the game but had issues finding the strike zone, allowing five runs on five walks and two hits for the loss. Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) pitched three innings and a third of relief, allowing four runs on six hits and Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) allowed one run on one hit with two strikeouts over three innings and a third. Canada did match the Pride with a total of nine hits, led by a double and two singles by Franklin, a homerun by Gilbert and singles by Hayward, Harshman, Entzminger, Wideman and Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.).

Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) retired Mexico in order in the top of the first, while the Canadian bats got going against Mexico's Dallas Escobedo in the bottom of the inning. Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) and Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) both singled to get on base, with Hayward scoring on a single by Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.) and Harshman crossing the plate on a single by Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.). Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) hit a sacrifice fly to center field to push Rafter in to score from third as Canada took an early 3-0 lead.

The score remained the same until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Hayward led off with a double, was sacrificed to second on a bunt by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) and scored on a sacrifice fly by Harshman. Rafter followed that with a solo homerun over the center field fence to increase the Wild's lead to 5-0. Mexico was able to load the bases with three consecutive one-out single in the sixth, but a pair of pop outs kept them off the scoreboard. In the bottom half of the sixth, Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) was hit by a pitch and immediately scored on a triple over the right fielder by Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.).

Mexico loaded the bases again with three one-out singles in the top of the seventh and pushed two runs across on a fielder's choice and another single, but that was as close as they would get.

Groenewegen picked up the win for Canada, throwing four scoreless innings allowing only two hits and striking out three batters. Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) pitched the final three innings, allowing two runs on eight hits with four strikeouts. Rafter had a homerun, a single and two runs batted in for the Wild, Hayward added a double, a single and two runs scored while Gilbert hit two singles and drove in a run. Lye added an RBI triple, with Harshman and Entzminger each hitting a single.

The Wild started the bottom of the first inning with a pair of singles by Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) and Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.), but a fielder's choice cut down a runner at the plate and a pair of ground outs got Mexico out of the inning. Mexico scored the only runs on the game in the top of the fourth, getting a pair of singles before a sacrifice bunt was misplayed by the Wild defence and allowed both runners to score.  The Wild were able to put a runner on base with singles in the fifth and seventh innings but was unable to bring either of them around to score.

Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) started the game in the pitcher's circle for the Wild, allowing only one hit and striking out three batters in two innings. Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) pitched three innings of relief, allowing the two unearned runs on four hits with three strikeouts. Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) pitched the last two innings, allowing a hit and striking out three as well. Hayward and Franklin each singled twice for the Wild, with Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) adding one.

Mexico opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first inning, when Anissa Urtez led off with a double and advanced to third on a single before scoring on a sacrifice fly. They held on to that lead until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) led off with a triple and scored on a two-run homerun to left by Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.). Down to their last out in the top of the seventh, Mexico got a double followed by a single to tie the game, and Canada was unable to score in the bottom of the inning to end the game in a tie.

In the circle, Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) started for the Wild and allowed one run on two hits with three strikeouts in two innings. Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) followed with two innings of relief, allowing only one hit and striking out one. Lauren Regula (Trail,  B.C.) pitched the final three innings, allowing a run on two hits with one strikeout.

The Wild began their scoring via the long ball in the first inning on back-to-back home runs from Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) and Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.), giving the Wild an early 3-0 to begin the game. Team Mexico would get a long ball of their own in the top of the third inning from Brittany Cervantes to make the score 3-1. Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) began the fourth inning for the Wild with an infield single and would later score on an RBI groundout from Harshman,  extending the Wilds’ lead 4-1.

The Wild added six more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, bringing eleven hitters to the plate. The inning started with a double from Jennifer Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) followed by a two-run home run by Jennifer Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.). The Wild would later put runners at first and second base with one out. Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) drove both runners in on a triple to left-center, extending the Wild lead, 8-1. Two more runners would score in the inning on an error from Team Mexico, giving the Wild a nine run lead, 10-1. Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) came into pitch for the Wild in the fifth inning, retiring all nine batters she faced - four on strikeouts - to end the ballgame.

Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) started the game in the pitcher's circle for the Wild, picking up the win by allowing only one run on two hits with three strikeouts in four innings of work. Harshman led the Wild at the plate with two hits including a homerun and three runs batted in along with Jenn Salling who also had a homerun and a single, driving in two. Rafter hit a solo homerun, Hayward hit a two-run triple, Gilbert doubled as the Wild produced five extra base hits. Leung contributed two singles, while Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) and Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) each added one.

The Canadian Wild opened up scoring in the bottom of the second inning, when Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) singled and scored on a triple to right by Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.). Two batters later, an infield single by Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) brought Salling home to give the Wild a 2-0 lead. Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.) led off the bottom of the fourth with a double to left followed by a single by Polidori before an RBI ground out by Salling increased the Wild's lead to 3-0. In the bottom of the sixth, Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) and Rafter each singled to start the inning, with Harshman later crossing the plate on a single by Salling. A hit by pitch to Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) loaded the bases, followed by a single by Gilbert to make it 5-0.

Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) started the bottom of the seventh with a walk and immediately scored on a triple by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.). A few batters later, Rafter launched a two-run homerun to left, as the Wild built an 8-0 lead. In the eighth, the Wild loaded the bases with three walks and a single followed by a pair of ground outs to push three runs to the plate to round out the scoring.

Four Wild pitchers combined to scatter seven hits for the shutout in the nine inning game. Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) started the game in the circle and held Elite Softball to three hits and struck out two batters over three innings. Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) pitched an inning and two thirds of relief, with two hits and two strikeouts while Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) also limited Elite Softball two two hits with two strikeouts over an inning and a third. Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) pitched the last three innings without allowing a baserunner, striking out three. Rafter led the way offensively with three hits including a homerun and a double, with Salling adding a pair of hits including a triple and three runs batted in. Franklin hit a triple and drove in two, and Gilbert collected three singles, driving in two runs. Polidori contributed two singles, with Harshman adding one to the Wild's 13 hits.

Elite Softball got on the board early, getting a run on a single by Charla Echols but the Canadian Wild responded immediately with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) led off with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a ground out before scoring on ground out by Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.). The score remained tied until the bottom of the fourth, when Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) singled to right, advanced to second after a walk and scored on a single to center by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.). In the fifth, Elite Softball strung together five consecutive one-out singles to score two runs and take a 3-2 lead, but a double play got the Wild out of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Harshman and Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) both walked before scoring on a three-run homerun by Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.). The Wild added another run on a passed ball later in the inning to take the 6-3 lead and was able to close out the game.

Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) started the game in the pitcher's circle for the Wild, allowing a run on five hits and she struck out two batters. Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) allowed two runs on six hits with two strikeouts over the final three innings and picked up the win. Salling led Canada at the plate with a homerun, a double and three runs batted in, with Franklin adding two hits and an RBI. Hayward, Harshman, Polidori and Lye each contributed with a single.

The Canadian Wild opened the scoring opened the scoring with a solo homerun by Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) in the bottom of the second. The following inning, Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) drew a two-out walk and stole second before scoring on a single to right by Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.). In the fifth, Elite Softball took advantage of an error to put a runner on base and was able to score on a passed ball to cut the lead to 2-1, but the Wild put the game out of reach with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) led off with a double and scored on a single by Salling, followed by a hit by pitch by Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) with the runners advancing to second and third on a passed ball. An error by the shortstop on a ground ball by Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) allowed both runners to score, and Leung scored from second on a sacrifice fly to center with some great baserunning. Elite Softball scored a run in the seventh when Morgan Howe doubled and scored on a single by Jordan Roberts, but that was as close as they came.

Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) started the game in the circle and allowed two hits with three strikeouts in two innings pitched. Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) limited Elite Softball to one unearned run on two hits and three strikeouts in three innings of relief, while Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) pitched the final two innings, allowing a run on two hits to go along with two strikeouts. Salling had two hits including a homerun, scored two runs and drove in two for the Wild. Polidori hit a double, with Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.), Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.), Harshman and Rafter all singled in the win.

The game started as a pitcher's duel between Canada's Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) and the Pride's Odicci Alexander, with both keeping the opposing hitters at bay over the first two innings. After getting the first hit of the game with two outs in the second, the Pride opened the scoring in the bottom of the third when Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza hit an opposite-field homerun to left. With a rain shower pouring down, Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.) tied the game with a solo homerun to left-center in the top of the fourth before the umpires called for a rain delay.

When play resumed about fifteen minutes later, Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) walked and scored from first on a double to right-center by Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.), who moved up to third when the throw to the plate was off the mark before scoring on a ground out to second by Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) as Canada took a 3-1 lead. The score remained the same until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Shelby Pendley led off with an opposite-field field homerun to left to cut the lead to 3-2. Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) struck out the next batter and allowed a single, but got the next batter to fly out followed by a ground out to first to end the game.

Groenewegen allowed a run on two hits and two walks to go along with four strikeouts in two innings and two thirds in the circle. Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) picked up a strikeout for the final out in the third, with Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) coming out in relief to start the fourth, allowing only one hit and striking out four batters in two innings of work to pick up the win. Lawrie registered the two inning save, allowing a run on three hits with three strikeouts. Alexander pitched the complete game and took the loss for the Pride, allowing three runs on only four hits and struck out eight. Rafter paced Canada with the solo homerun and a single, with Salling adding an RBI double and a run scored. Entzminger singled for Canada's fourth hit and also drove in a run.

In a great low-scoring ballgame, Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) hit a one-out single in the top of the first and stole second but she was unable to advance any further, while the Pride got a leadoff single by Amanda Lorenz and sacrificed her to second, but a pair of strikeouts left her there too. Canada put its first two batters on base in the second with a walk to Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) and a hit by pitch to Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.), but Polidori was retired on a double steal and a pair of fly outs left two runners on base. In the bottom of the frame, the Pride also got the firs two batters on base with a single and a walk, but the following batter lined out to Canadian pitcher Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) who threw it over to second for a double play followed by a ground out to end the inning.

Canada drew a two-out walk in the third and the Pride got two of them in the bottom of the inning but neither team was able to bring those runners in to score. The Pride was finally able to break the tie in the bottom of the fourth when Jessie Warren connected with an opposite-field homerun to right. Canada had a good chance to tie the game in the sixth, with Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) leading off with a single later followed by a single by Polidori. A fielder's choice put runners on the corners with two outs, but the next batter struck out. Canada went down in order in the top of the seventh to end the game.

Both teams turned in great pitching performance, as the Pride's Jailyn Ford fired the complete game shutout allowing three hits, walking four, hitting one batter and striking out nine. For the red and white, Groenewegen allowed two hits and two walks with two strikeouts over two innings and two thirds, with Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) allowing walking one and striking out another to end the third inning. Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) was the hard luck losing pitcher, allowing a solo homerun as the only hit against her and striking out four batters in two innings of relief. Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) pitched the sixth inning, allowing one hit but inducing a double play. Franklin, Salling and Polidori each had one single for Canada's three hits, while Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) drawing two walks. 

Canada started the game strong at the plate with Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) lining a one-out double to the  right-center field gap in the top of the first, but the next batter laced a liner to first and Polidori was doubled off at second. The following inning, Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.) led off with a walk and pinch runner Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) advanced to third on a single to right by Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) before scoring on a fielder's choice as Canada took a 1-0 lead. The Pride got a leadoff walk to start the bottom of the second, and took advantage of a throwing error on a play at first to score the runner from first. 

Both teams went down in order on the third and fourth innings before the Pride took the lead on a solo homerun by Jessie Warren to lead off the bottom of the fifth. In the sixth, Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) led off with a bunt single followed by a single to center by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.), but the next three batters went down to keep the score at 2-1 for the Pride. Team Canada put two more runners on base on a pair of hit by pitches in the seventh, but could not score them either as the Pride closed out the win.

Canada continued their pitching by committee approach to spread out the innings and it was effective, combining to allow only two hits. Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) got the start, allowing one unearned run on no hits and one walk over two innings. Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) followed with two clean innings, striking out one batter without allowing a baserunner. Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) allowed a run on two hits and struck out one over an inning and a third, while Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) struck out the two batters she faced. Canada managed four hits off the Pride pitching duo of Megan Good and Aleshia Ocasio, including a double for Polidori and singles by Lye, Polidori and Gilbert. Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) reached base twice with a walk and a hit by pitch and drove in Canada's only run.

After a scoreless first inning, all of the scoring took place in the second inning. With two outs, Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) singled through the right side of the infield and scored on a double to right-center by Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.), who moved up to third on the throw to the plate. Next up, Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) executed a perfect safety squeeze, reaching first safely and allowing Entzminger to score as Canada took an early 2-0 lead. The Pride got one run back immediately in the bottom of the inning when Jessie Warren hit a solo homerun for the third consecutive game to cut the lead in half.

The Pride got a single in each of the fourth and fifth innings but was unable to move the runners any further. However, they were able to put a lot pressure on the Canadian defense in the bottom of the seventh. Sahvanna Jaquish led off with a single to center, and the next batter reached on an error on an errant throw to second on a fielder's choice. A deep fly out to center allowed the runners to advance to second and third, but Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) got a big strikeout looking for the second out followed by a pop out to the catcher in foul territory near the Pride bench to end the game.

Groenewegen started the game for Canada and earned the win, pitching the first two innings before reentering to close out the last inning. She allowed one run on three hits with five strikeouts in her combined three innings of work. Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) pitched a hitless third inning with one strikeout, followed by Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) who allowed a hit and struck out one in two thirds of an inning. Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) allowed only one hit and struck out two over two innings and a third. All three of Canada's hits came in the second inning, with Gilbert and Hayward each hitting a single and Entzminger adding a double.

Team Canada wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) led off with a single, later followed by a walk by Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) before Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) hit a three-run homerun, followed by a solo shot by Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) for a quick 4-0 lead. In the second, Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) led off with a single, was sacrificed to second by Hayward and scored on a single to left by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) to add a run to Canada's lead. Harshman and Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) both singled to start the third before Salling hit her second three-run bomb in as many at-bats to put Canada up 8-0.

In the top of the sixth, Leung drew a leadoff walk and scored on a two-run homerun to center by Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.). Later in the inning, Franklin singled followed by a double by Harshman before Franklin scored on a sacrifice fly Polidori to increase the lead to 11-0. Canada added one more in the seventh when Gilbert singled, moved up to second on a single by Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) and to third on a fielder's choice before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Hayward.

Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) earned the win in the pitcher's circle for Canada, allowing only two hits and striking out three batters over three innings. Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) was unhittable, striking out seven of the nine batters she faced over three innings. Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) retired all three batters she faced in the seventh with two of them going down on strikes. Salling led Canada offensively with two homeruns and six runs batted in, with Wideman adding a two-run shot and Gilbert with a solo homerun and a single. Franklin and Harshman each singled twice, with Hayward, Polidori, Entzminger and Leung each contributing with a single.

Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) led off the game with a double off the first baseman, but was later thrown out at third trying to advanced on a ball in the dirt. The Slice was able to open the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first inning, getting a leadoff walk followed by a single before the leadoff batter scored on a sacrifice fly. Canada responded immediately in the top half of the second, with Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) leading off with a walk, moving up to second on a ground out and scoring on a single to center by Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.). After a single by Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) put two runners on base, Hayward hit a three-run blast over the right-center field fence. The following inning, Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) and Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) each hit solo homeruns to give Canada a 6-1 lead.

The Slice fought back in the bottom of the third, scoring a run after a leadoff double and two singles. After a ground out moved the runners up to second and third, one runner scored on a passed ball and the second scored on an error on the toss to the pitcher, cutting Canada's lead to 6-4. Once again, Canada wasted no time with a response, as Lye led off with a double, was sacrificed to third and scored on a ground out by Hayward. Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) followed with a double before Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) blasted a two-run shot to right-center, putting Canada up 9-4. Salling was hit by a pitch to start the top of the fifth, with Groenewegen connecting with a two-run homerun later in the inning to round out the scoring at 11-4. A rain storm hit in the bottom of the fifth, with the game being called after the end of the inning.

Groenewegen got the win for Canada, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and striking out one batter over three innings. Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) retired all six batters she faced with four of them on strikeouts. Hayward drove in four runs with a double and a homerun, with Groenewegen producing three with a homerun and a single. Harshman, Entzminger and Polidori each added solo shots, with Lye hitting a double and a single. Franklin added a double.

Canada jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) led off with an infield single and scored on a two-run homerun to left by Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.), and after a double by Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.), Erika Polidori (Branford, Ont.) hit an opposite-field shot to right for a quick 4-0 lead. In her next at-bat in the third, Polidori worked a two-out walk, stole second and scored on a double down the third base line by Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.). The following inning, Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) reached on an error and was sacrificed to second before scoring on a single to center by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) to make the score 6-0.

Team Canada added a run in the top of the fifth when Salling doubled and scored on a double by Polidori. In the seventh, Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) singled with one out, advanced to second on a single by Leung and scored on a single to center by Franklin. The Pioneers got their first hit of the game with a single in the fourth, and was able to break the shutout with a solo homerun by Kaitlin Cooper in the bottom of the seventh.

Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) started the game in the pitcher's circle for Canada and allowed only one walk and struck out three batters over three innings to pick up the win. Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) pitched the next three innings in relief, allowing only one hit and striking out five. Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) allowed the solo homerun in one inning of work. Polidori led Canada at the plate with a homerun, a double, three runs batted in, two runs scored and a stolen base, while Rafter added a two-run homerun and Salling contributed two doubles and two runs scored. Entzminger doubled and singled, while Hayward and Franklin each singled twice at the top of the order. Gilbert, Leung and Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) all chipped in with singles to round out Canada's 14 hits.

Canada's bats were on fire in this one. Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) led off the game with a walk, stole second and scored on a double to center by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.). Then, Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) and Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) connected with back-to-back homeruns. In the second, Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) led off with a single and scored on a two-run shot by Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.). Team Canada proceeded to load the bases on singles by Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) and Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) and a walk by Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) before Hayward hit a two-run single to center to make the score 8-0 after two innings.

In the fourth, Salling and Entzminger both singled before Gilbert launched a three-run blast to center, followed by singles by Lye and Leung and another three-run shot by Harshman. Leung hit a solo homerun to center in the fifth, and Polidori delivered a two-run double in the sixth to complete the offensive barrage. Impact Softball was held without a hit until the bottom of the seventh, getting a double and a single to score their only run of the game.

Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) started the game for Canada and retired all nine batters she faced over three innings, including three on strikeouts. Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) pitched the next three innings, allowing only one walk and striking out six batters. Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) allowed a run on two hits with two strikeouts in the final inning. Five different Canadian hitters hit homeruns in this game, including two off the bat of Harshman who drove in five runs. Polidori homered, doubled and drove in three, while Gilbert had a three-run shot and added two singles. Entzminger homered and singled, Leung hit one out of the park, and Salling and Lye each singled twice. Franklin added a double, with Hayward and Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) each adding a single.

Canada put runners on base with a walk in each of the first two innings but was unable to move the runners any further, while Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) retired all six batters she faced. After a quick third inning, Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) drew a leadoff walk and later advanced to second on Jenn Salling's (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) single for the first hit of the game but a ground out ended the inning. Denso got into the hit column with a single to lead off the bottom of the fifth and the runner was sacrificed to second, but two quick outs left her stranded. The following inning, Denso got a leadoff walk and the runner advanced to third after stealing second and moving up a deep fly ball, but Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) was able to induce a ground ball to shortstop to keep the game scoreless through six innings.

A two-out single by Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) followed by a hit by pitch to Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) put two runners on base in the top half of the seventh, but a ground out to first ended the threat. Denso also managed to put a pair of runners on with a single and a hit by pitch, but a fly out to left sent the game to an extra inning. Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) started on second with the international tie-breaker rule and was sacrificed to third, while Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) was hit by a pitch and stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Harshman then delivered the key hit with a double to center to bring both runners in to score. Denso got a two-out single to score their runner from second to cut the lead to 2-1, but a ground out to second ended the game.

Groenewegen struck out one batter in two innings of work, while Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) issued only one walk and struck out two in her two innings of relief. Caira picked up the win, pitching the last four innings allowing one unearned run on three hits and four strikeouts. Harshman's two run double was the deciding hit in the game and she added a pair of walks, while Salling and Polidori each singled to complete Canada's three hits. 

Denso opened the scoring with a run in the second inning, getting a leadoff single and a double later in the inning to score the runner from first. Team Canada wasted no time getting that run back, as Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) singled, advanced to second on an error and moving up to third on a single by Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) before scoring on a single by Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.). Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) led off the bottom of the third with a homerun to put Canada ahead, while Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) laced a one-out double in the fourth before scoring on a triple by Hayward. 

Canada tacked on five more runs in the fifth. Harshman led off with a double, Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) reached on an error and Polidori singled to load the bases before Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) cleared them with a triple. After a walk by Leung, Hayward singled to score Entzminger and Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) followed with a single of her own to score Leung, rounding out the scoring in the 8-1 win.

Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) started the game in the pitcher's circle for Canada and earned the win, allowing one run on three hits and three strikeouts in three innings and two thirds. Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) pitched the final two innings and a third in relief, allowing only one hit and striking out two. Hayward went 3-for-3 with a triple and three runs batted in at the plate, with Entzminger adding a three-run triple and added a single. Harshman hit a solo homerun and a single, Gilbert had a double and Polidori and Franklin each singled twice. Salling and Leung each added a single as Canada produced 14 hits. 

Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) led off the game with a homerun to open the scoring, and Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) doubled and scored on a double by Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) in the second as Canada took an early 2-0 lead. Denso managed to produce three singles in the second but was not able to bring anyone in to score, and Canada later put the game out of reach with five runs in the top of the fourth. Salling walked and Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) singled two put two runners on base before Lye laced a triple to score both of them. After a walk by Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.), Hayward hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Lye and Wideman crossed the plate on an error to complete the scoring in the 7-0 game. After the three hit second, Canada's pitching allowed only one hit over the last four innings to preserve the shutout.

Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) and Lauren Regula (Trial, B.C.) split the pitching duties with three innings each in the six inning game. Caira allowed three hits and a walk and struck out one, while Regula held Denso to one hit and a walk with four strikeouts. Lye tripled, doubled and drove in three runs, with Hayward adding a homerun, a single and two runs batted in. Salling contributed a double, with Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.), Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.), Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.), Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) and Entzminger all adding a single each.

Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) led off the game with a double and immediately moved up to third on a single by Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.), but a pair of strikeouts and and a pop out to third kept Canada off the scoreboard. Canadian starting pitcher Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) mad quick work of Shokki through three innings, but allowed a homerun to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. The red and white could not get much going either, as Franklin, Lye and Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) each in the third, sixth and seventh innings respectively, but all three were retired on fielder's choices. Shokki added two runs in the bottom of the sixth with a pair of RBI singles.

Lawrie allowed only one hit, the homerun, and struck out one batter over four innings of work, while Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) pitched the last two innings and allowed two runs on three hits and struck out two. The Canadian offence produced five hits, two each from Franklin and Lye at the top of the order and the other by Polidori.

Canada rebounded in the second game of the doubleheader, as pitchers Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.), Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) and Morgan Rackel (Calgary, Alta.) combined to limit Shokki to only three hits. Canada had runners on in each of the first and second innings with a single apiece from Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) and Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.), but opened the scoring in the bottom of the third when Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) led off with a walk, advanced to second on a passed ball and to third on a ground out before scoring on a wild pitch. Canada added an insurance run in the sixth, as Harshman led off with a walk and scored on a triple by Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.).

Groenewegen started the game and allowed only one hit while striking out four over three innings. Caira followed by allowing two hits and striking out three in her own three innings of work, while Rackel walked one and struck out another in the seventh. Entzminger tripled in a run for Canada, with Harshman, Salling and Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) each adding a single.

Making her first Olympic start, Groenewegen was great right out the gate retiring Mexico in order in the first before Canada jumped out to an early lead by scoring twice in the bottom of the inning. Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) beat out an infield single on a well-placed ball to second and Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) executed a perfect bunt single to set the stage for back-to-back run-scoring singles by Rafter and Salling.
 
In the third, Groenewegen issued a one-out walk but the runner was later thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning. Canada added to its lead in the bottom of the frame when Salling lined a homerun over the right field fence to make it 3-0. The following inning, Hayward led off with a single, moved up to second on a wild pitch and to third on a ground out before scoring on a single to right by Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.). The Canadians were able to load the bases after a pair of walks but was not able to break the game open as the next batter flew out to right.
 
Looking to get back into the game, Mexico put a pair of runners on base in the top of the fifth inning with their first hit of a game – a single Suzannah Gonzales – and a hit by pitch, but Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) notched an important strikeout to end the frame. The following inning, Mexico got a leadoff single on a slap towards second from Tatyana Forbes but was unable to advance her any further. Franklin led off the bottom of the sixth with a single but was doubled off at first after a great catch in right field that hung up just long enough to be caught. Rafter followed that play with a single of her own, but a fly out ended the inning. Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) retired the side in order in the top of the seventh to end the game.
 
Groenewegen picked up the win in her first Olympic start, issuing only one walk and striking out three batters while facing the minimum over four innings of work. Caira allowed a hit and struck out one in one inning of relief, with Lawrie earning the two-inning save with one hit and two strikeouts as the Canadian pitching trio limited Mexico to only two hits. The top half of the lineup provided all the offence Canada needed, with Hayward, Franklin, Rafter and Salling all producing two hits – including Salling’s homerun – and Harshman adding an RBI single. Canada scored four runs on a total of nine hits.

Fresh off her dominant performance over four innings against Mexico on Wednesday, Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) got the ball again in the pitcher’s circle for Canada. The United States were able to load the bases in the first and get runners to second and third in the second, but Groenewegen was able to escape both innings unscathed with key strikeouts to keep the game scoreless.

Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) came out in relief of Groenewegen to start the third and retired the Americans in order in the third and fourth innings but ran into trouble in the top of the fifth. Haylie McCleney reached on an infield single, was sacrificed to second and scored on a single to right by Amanda Chidester as the United States took the 1-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Abbott held Canada to only one baserunner – a two-out walk by Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) in the second – through the first five innings before Canada made a late push in the bottom of the sixth. Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) worked the count to draw a leadoff walk and Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) pinch ran for her at first. Groenewegen reentered the game as a pinch hitter and drilled a line drive into the right-center field gap but Lye was thrown out at the plate after a perfect relay from the American defense. Groenewegen ended up on third after the play, but a fly out to left was not deep enough to score the runner from third, and after an intentional walk, the next batter struck out to leave two runners in scoring position. Abbott retired all three Canadian batters in the seventh to secure the complete game win.

Australia’s bats went to work early, with Leigh Godfrey hitting a leadoff single followed by a ground rule double Stacey Porter to put runners on second and third. A hit by pitch loaded the bases and after a fielder’s choice retired Godfrey at home, Australia opened the scoring with a bases loaded walk. Canadian starting pitcher Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) settled in from there, and got a pair of big strikeouts to keep the score at 1-0. The Canadian offence responded immediately, with Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) earning a walk, stealing second and she scored on a throwing error on a ground ball to third. A walk put runner on first and second and the runners moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, Ont.) before Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) delivered a two-run ground rule double over the centerfielder.

In the top of the second, Australia got back-to-back singles and the runners were sacrificed followed by an intentional walk to Porter. Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) came on in relief of Groenewegen, and notched an important strikeout followed by a lineout to first to get Canada out of the inning and leaving three runners stranded on base. In the bottom of the frame, Canada got a pair of singles by Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) and Hayward and took advantage of a costly mistake on a ground ball to first that was thrown away at second base, allowing Leung to score and putting runners on second and third. Salling was intentionally walked to load the bases before Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) drove a two-run ground rule double to center to give Canada a commanding 6-1 lead.

After a quick third inning with both teams going down in order, Canada loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with a single by Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) and walks to Salling and Polidori before Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) singled to left to score Harshman, but Salling was thrown out at the plate. In the fifth, Australia picked up a pair of singles, but an inning-ending double play put an end to the threat. The Aussies couldn’t get anything going in the sixth or seventh innings and Canada took the 7-1 win.

Yukiko Ueno took to the pitcher’s circle for Japan, while Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) started once again for Canada, with both pitchers holding their own in the early innings. After Ueno retired Canada in order with three groundouts, Groenewegen allowed a one-out single but was able to leave that runner stranded at second. Canada got into the hit column with a single by Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) in the second, but she was doubled off at first on a line drive to the pitcher. Japan got a single in each of the second and third innings, but once again Groenewegen did a great job to keep them from scoring.

In the top of the fourth, Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) lined a one-out single to left but she was thrown out at second after trying to move up on a pitch in the dirt. Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) also singled to left but the next batter grounded out. Canada’s best opportunity to score came in the top of the fifth, when Salling led off with a double over the centerfielder. A ground out to second moved Salling up to third, and after a hit by pitch put two runners on base, Ueno got an important strikeout then got the next batter to ground out back to her to keep Canada off the board.

In the bottom of the fifth, Jenna Caira (Toronto, Ont.) walked the first batter and the runner advanced to to second on a ground out to first by the next batter. Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) entered the game and induced a pair of groundouts to keep the game scoreless. Each team put a runner on base in the sixth, but neither was able to advance those runners further.

Miu Goto relieved Ueno in the seventh and struck out the side, allowing Japan to put a lot of pressure on Canada in the bottom of the seventh. They loaded the bases on a single, an error and an intentional walk with one out, but Lawrie did a great job pitching out of a jam, getting a line drive to second and forcing a fly out to first to send the game to extra innings.

With a runner starting on second base due to the international tie-breaker rule, Canada was unable to get anything going as Goto struck out the side once again. Then in the bottom of the eighth, Japan sacrificed their runner to third and Canada issued a pair of intentional walks to set up a force play at the plate. However, Eri Yamada lined a single to center to end the game.

Italy got back-to-back two-out singles in the bottom half of the first, but Canada’s starting pitcher Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) struck out the next batter before Canada opened the scoring on a solo homerun by Jen Gilbert (Saskatoon, Sask.) in the top of the second. In the bottom of the frame, Italy got a runner on base with a hit by pitch and Canada followed with a great double play on a ground ball to short to end the inning.

Making her first start of the tournament, Joey Lye (Toronto, Ont.) tripled to right field with one out in the third but was retired at home on a ground ball to third by Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.). Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) followed with a double to center to score Hayward to give Canada a 2-0 lead. Italy cut that lead in half in the bottom of the third, getting a double by Laura Vigna who later scored on a single by Erika Piancastelli.

Team Canada added three runs to its lead in the fifth. Lye got things started with a single to left, and advanced to third after Hayward reached on an error and moved up to second on the play. Franklin scored Lye with a sacrifice fly to left, while Hayward crossed the plate on a single by Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) who later scored on an error to push the score to 5-1. The red and white then poured on with three more runs in the top half of the sixth to put the run rule into effect. Emma Entzminger (Victoria, B.C.) was hit by a pitch and stole second, with Lye drawing a walk with Entzminger advancing to third on a wild pitch. After Lye stole second, Hayward drove a two-run double to center and advanced to third on an error before scoring on another sacrifice fly by Franklin to make it 8-1. Lauren Regula (Trail, B.C.) struck out two batters and induced a ground out to third to end the game on the run rule.

Mexico put the pressure on Canada early in the top of the first, getting back-to-back one-out singles by Nicole Mendez and Anissa Urtez but Canadian pitcher Sara Groenewegen (Surrey B.C.) struck out the next batter and got the following hitter to fly out to right to leave the runners stranded. Canada opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the second. Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) dropped a bunt single and moved up to second on a fielder’s choice to third that the second base player dropped on the throw. A ground out moved the runners up to second and third before Emma Entzminger (Victoria, BC.) dropped a fly ball into shallow left field to plate two runs.

In the top of the third, Brittany Cervantes hit a run-scoring single to cut the lead in half at 2-1, and Mexico came back to tie the game with an RBI single by Suzannah Gonzalez in the top of the fifth. However, Canada regained the lead in the bottom of the frame when Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ont.) and Victoria Hayward (Toronto, Ont.) started the inning with singles, were sacrificed ahead by Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, B.C.) and Leung crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to left by Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.).

Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) pitched the final two and a third innings for Canada, allowing one hit and striking four batters including the last batter in the top of the seventh too lock down the bronze medal win.