THUNDER BAY, ON – In a hard-fought, eight-inning contest, Canada lost 7-6 to Japan in their second game of the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals at Port Arthur Stadium on Monday night.
Yuki Kawabata, who went 1-for-5 with two RBI, put Japan ahead 1-0 in the first on a single that brought Iori Miura home, who earned a leadoff walk.
Later in the fourth, Japan extended its lead to 2-0 after Yuzuha Nakamura hit a double to left field. Then, in the top of the fifth, the six-time champions went ahead 3-0 on a squeeze attempt that went wrong for Canada. But in the bottom half, the hosts turned things around.
Emily Baxter, who pinched hit for Ela Day-Bédard, started the rally for the Canadians with a single up the middle. Once the bases became loaded, Madison Willan, who tallied two RBI, earned a walk to put Canada on the board and make it a 3-1 ball game.
Zoe Hicks, Sunday’s WBSC Player of the Day, tied the game at three with a two-run single to centre field. She later added a third RBI, which was her tournament-leading sixth.
In the eighth frame, Japan went ahead 4-3 on a two-error play, then added three more runs to make it 7-3. Canada got three runs back but ultimately fell short.
Mika Tai (1-0), who pitched 2.1 innings, was the winning pitcher, while Sophy Gagné (0-1) recieved the loss.
Canada retakes the field on Tuesday night against the United States (7pm et).
Adam Morissette
Baseball Canada
613-748-5606 (office)
613-862-0256 (mobile)