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MIYAZAKI, Japan – The Canadian Women’s National Team was stopped short on the road to gold on Friday at the Women’s Baseball World Cup, suffering a 12-2 defeat in five innings at the hands of three-time defending champion Japan.
Combined with the heartbreaking loss on Wednesday against Team USA that impressed many – not only locally in Miyazaki but also at home – the squad from north of the border was forced out of the gold-medal matchup and will instead play Australia for bronze on the final day of the tournament on Sunday, after taking on the Aussies in a regularly-scheduled game on Saturday as well.
“It was a tough loss and Japan has always been a tough opponent,” manager Andre Lachance said. “Obviously we came here looking to go back home with a gold medal, so it’s upsetting to be out of it without a chance to do that right now.
“But our sights are set on heading back to Canada with the bronze medal now. That game is behind us and our new focus is on beating Australia tomorrow and especially on Sunday in the final.”
The host squad got out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning and just kept piling on the runs from there. A two-out three-run double for Japan’s designated hitter Yukiko Kon opened the scoring in the first and gave the Japanese team a lead they would never relinquish.
Canada became the first and only opponent to score against Japan so far in the World Cup when the national team put two runs on the board in the second frame to bring the score to 3-2. With one out and veteran third baseman Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, ON) on first base, Canadian rookie Kelsey Lalor (Red Deer, AB) launched a double to right field to put two runners in scoring position.
Autumn Mills (London, ON) and Niki Boyd (Whalley, BC) each drove in a run in the frame, but that would be all for Canada. Mills notched two of the team’s four total hits in the game and Stephanie Savoie (La Pocatiere, QC) had the team’s other hit, a single in the top of the first inning.
Ella Matteucci got her first World Cup experience on the mound as Team Canada’s starter against the host squad. The Trail, BC native suffered the loss after working two innings plus two batters and allowing seven runs on five hits with four walks.
Hannah Martensen (Ottawa, ON) and Heidi Northcott (Rocky Mountain House, AB) both pitched in relief for Canada. Martensen threw two innings and allowed four runs (one earned) on one hit with three walks. Northcott completed two-thirds of an inning, allowed one run and walked one.
Before playing Australia for the bronze medal at 9:00PM EST Saturday, Canada will play a preview of that matchup at 12:30AM EST Saturday. At the most recent World Cup event in Edmonton, AB, the Canadian women earned a bronze medal, adding to two other bronze medals and one silver finish in previous World Cup competition.
Stay up to date with the Women's National Team by following @baseballcanada on Twitter.
