Japan win extra-inning thriller with Canada, stay undefeated

World No. 1 Japan defeated No. 7 Canada 7-6 in a dramatic eighth-inning game on Monday in the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals 2024 at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Canada.

Japan played a solid game behind starter Miyu Shimizu for five and a half innings, then gave up three runs in the bottom of the sixth, sending the game to extras. The eighth inning was a thriller, with Japan prevailing by one run. Five defensive errors cost the hosts what would have been a historic win. Reliever Mika Tai earned the victory.

Canada starter Raine Padgham walked Iori Miura to start the game. Miu Shiraishi and Yuki Kawabata hit back-to-back singles to put Japan ahead.

Canada catcher Kaytlin Ross got the first out at second by catching Shiraishi stealing. Padgham struck out Misaki Namai for the second out and got out of the inning with a flyout.

Padgham allowed a one-out walk to Yuzuha Nakamura in the top of the second inning. Ross got her second caught stealing in as many innings for the second out. Kae Iwami drew a two-out walk, then Padgham ended the inning by striking out Haruna Tadano.

Canada missed a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the second inning. Mia Valcke led off with the first Canadian hit of the night against Japan starter Miyu Shimizu. She advanced on a groundout and reached third on a wild pitch. Valcke held at third on a groundout to second. Canada's at-bat continued when Shimizu hit Madison Willan. Ross lined out to shortstop to end the inning.

Japan added a run in the top of the fourth inning. Miwa Naraoka reached on an error and advanced on a sacrifice bunt. She scored on Yuzuha Nakamura's deep double to left field. Canada centre fielder Sena Catterall robbed Japan of another run with a superb diving catch on Kae Iwami's fly to the gap in right-centre.

Miu Shiraishi doubled to lead off the fifth inning. She became the first out at third, caught stealing by Ross. Padgham worked the count full against Misaki Namai, then left for left-hander Liz Gilder. Namai singled on the reliever's first pitch, and then Gilder got out of the inning on a flyout.

Japan extended the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Akari Hoshikawa walked and advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt. She reached third on a groundout and scored on Kae Iwami's squeeze bunt.

Japan loaded the bases on singles by Haruna Tadano and Iori Miura, forcing Canada to call right-hander Sophy Gagne from the bullpen. Gagne got pinch hitter Ayaka Osada to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Canada tied it in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ela Day-Bédard led off with a single up the middle, the second Canadian hit of the night. Shimizu hit Sena Catterall and then struck out Alizée Gélinas. Mia Valcke worked the count full and grounded into a force out, advancing Day-Bédard to third. Shimizu walked Andréanne Leblanc to load the bases.

Shimizu also walked Madison Willan to put Canada on the board. Zoe Hicks looked at two strikes, then delivered a two-RBI single to tie the game.

When Shimizu hit Lucie Antil, Japan brought in reliever Mika Tai. The left-hander got out of the inning by getting Tess Sawkins to ground out to second base.

Sena Catterall reached on a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Tai struck out the side to end the inning and send the game to extra innings.

Japan's lead tie-break runner, Miwa Naraoka, scored on two throwing errors before Gagne could make a pitch. The second tie-break runner, Akari Hoshikawa, reached second base on the play.

Gagne walked Yuzuha Nakamura, and Kae Iwami dropped a bunt. Canada could not get the out at third, and the bases were loaded for Haruna Tadano. The Japanese second baseman singled to left field, extending Japan's lead to 6-3.

Another defensive error loaded the bases for Yuki Kawabata. Canada failed to complete the double play on her chopper to shortstop, and Tadano scored the seventh run. That was all for Gagne, who left for Amy Johnson. The right-hander got out of the inning with a groundout.

Canada would not give up. Alexane Fournier led off the bottom of the eighth with a double to centre, scoring the lead tie-break runner, Alizée Gélinas. With runners at third and second, Mia Valcke scored the fifth Canadian run on a groundout. Fournier advanced to third on the play and scored when Madison Willan grounded out for the second out.

Tai struck out Lucie Anctil on three pitches to end the game and give Japan the win.

Japan (2-0) will face No. 3 Venezuela on 30 July at 15:00. Canada (1-1) will play No. 4 USA at 19:00. All times local.