Team Canada defeats Israel in no hitter at the 2023 Canada Cup
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14th, 2023
Surrey, B.C. – The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team defeated Israel 5-0 at the 2023 Canada Cup International Softball Championship on Thursday, improving their record to 5-1.
Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, B.C.) got the start in the pitching circle for Canada and looked dialed in right from the beginning with two strikeouts in a row in the first inning.
In the bottom of the second, Erika Polidori (Brantford, Ont.) hit a leadoff triple to start the inning. Kianna Jones (Surrey, B.C.) then followed up with her second home run of the tournament to give Canada a 2-0 lead.
Canada increased the lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the third off a Kelsey Harshman (Delta, B.C.) home run to center field.
In the bottom of the fourth, Jones doubled to center field and then scored off a Callum Pilgrim (Abbotsford, B.C.) triple to make it 4-0. Rylie Crane (Toronto, Ont.) came in as a pinch runner and scored off a Grace Messmer (Surrey, B.C.) ground out to make it 5-0.
Canada made a pitching change, bringing in Nicola Simpson (Seattle, Wash.) in the top of the fifth. Groenewegen pitched four innings, with no runs, no hits and seven strikeouts.
In the bottom of the fifth, Canada made another pitching change bringing Ruby Anderson (Victoria, B.C.) into the circle. Simpson pitched one inning, with no runs, no hits and two strikeouts.
The Canadians would go on to win 5-0 in a no hitter for their second win in a row at the 2023 Canada Cup.
Team Canada closes out round robin play against Japan Friday night at 6:00pm PDT (9:00pm EDT). All games will be streamed here.
