Canada, Japan start WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals 2024 with wins
World No. 1 Japan and No. 7 Canada opened the WBSC Women 's Baseball World Cup Finals 2024 presented by CARNEXT with wins. Canada defeated No. 5 Mexico 7-2, while Japan overcame the Asian arch-rivals, No. 2 Chinese Taipei 9-4 at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Canada on Saturday.
They will share first place with No. 4 USA, who won by forfeit as No. 3 Venezuela failed to field a team due to significant travel logistics issues.
During the Opening Ceremony, WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari thanked the athletes via video message.
"For the next seven days, we will have the best players from six of the best countries playing 17 games for the title of World Champion," President Fraccari said. "Thank you to the athletes for being here and for playing our beloved baseball.
"I would like to extend a heartful thank you to the hosts and the authorities for their support in the success of the new format. I wish all the teams the very best. To the athletes, you are the superstars of your sport. Enjoy the event and good luck for the tournament."
Tournament Links
- Tournament Website
- Live Scoring/Box Scores
- Live clips on X
- Videos
- Photos for editorial use
- WBSC/Konami Women's Baseball World Rankings
The Anishinaabe Inaadziwn (Culture) was central to the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals 2024 Opening Ceremony, which included a drumming performance honouring the Pow-Wow Dance Styles tradition. The Algonquin Public School Native Language Choir sang the Canadian National Anthem in Ojibwe.
Chief Michele Solomon, the current elected Chief of Fort William First Nation and Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff, declared the tournament open.
Canada-Mexico 7-2
A five-run first inning helped World No. 7 Canada set the tone for a 7-2 win against No. 5 Mexico. Alexane Fournier pitched five innings for the win.
Mexico handed the ball to Rosa Del Castillo, while Canada chose Alexane Fournier as their starting pitcher.
Canada broke the score open in the top of the first inning. The initial run came from two walks and a hit batter. Madison Villan added an RBI single to make it 2-0. With two outs and the bases loaded, Zoe Hicks hit a three-RBI double, extending Canada's lead to 5-0.
The hosts added two more runs in the top of the second. With runners at the corners and two outs, Sena Catterall scored on a wild throw to second base. Andréanne Leblanc then batted in Canada's seventh run with a double.
Mexico scored two runs in the bottom of the second. Gabriela Sandoval hit into a force-out with the bases loaded and one out, allowing Daniela Ibarra to score from third. Samaria Benitez followed with an RBI single.
In the top of the third, Mexico replaced Rosa del Castillo with Maricela Aguilera.
Michelle Roche took over for Fournier in the bottom of the sixth. She hit the leadoff batter but received valuable assistance from Day-Bédard to secure the first out. Roche then cruised through the rest of the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, Roche got some help from right fielder Emily Baxter, who got the first out at first. A defensive error was the last obstacle before Canada could celebrate the first win.
GAME REPORT
Japan-Chinese Taipei 9-4
World No. 1 Japan defeated Asian arch-rivals Chinese Taipei behind a solid performance by starting pitcher Wakana Mori. Iori Miura, Yuki Kawabata and Miwa Naraoka enjoyed a two-hit game.
Wen-Ching Hsieh started for Chinese Taipei, while Japan gave the ball to Wakana Mori.
Both teams failed to score from third in the first. Japan misplayed a squeeze attempt, and Chinese Taipei tried to run home on a comebacker to the mound.
Iori Miura hit a two-out and two-RBI double to put Japan ahead in the top of the second.
She advanced to third on the play and scored on Haruna Tadano's single to make it 3-0.
Chinese Taipei tied the game in the bottom of the third, thriving on a missed double-play opportunity. Mori allowed a bases-loaded walk and Yi-Hsuan Chiu followed with a two-RBI single.
Japan took the lead back in the top of the fourth. Kawabata's sacrifice fly broke the tie, and Miwa Naraoka followed with an RBI single to make it 5-3.
Japan added two runs on reliever Yu-Pei Chen thanks to a base hit by Kae Iwami and infield singles by pinch hitter Yazuha Nakamura and Miura.
Chinese Taipei cut the gap to 7-4 in the bottom half of the frame. Chiao-Yun Huang reached on a two-out double and scored on Pei-Chen Huang's RBI single.
Japan added an insurance run in the top of the sixth on Osada's sacrifice fly. Yi-Hsuan Chiu closed the at-bat with a fine leaping catch.
Natsuki Kubo took the mound for Japan in the bottom of the sixth. The reliever allowed a couple of hits but got herself out of trouble striking out the side.
Li-Ching Huang stepped to the mound for Chinese Taipei in the top of the seventh. Japan added a run on a fielding error.
GAME REPORT
USA-Venezuela 7-0
The game scheduled for 10:00 (local time) between No. 3 Venezuela and No. 4 USA was cancelled as Venezuela failed to field a team due to significant travel logistics issues. The tournament’s technical commission forfeited the game and assigned the win to USA.
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- Venezuela's strength is pitching
- Ten things to know about the Women's Baseball World Cup Finals
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