19/07/2024 2 Minute Read

Japan outscore Canada, advance to World Championship Final

Japan outscored Canada 7-2, outhitting them 10-5 to secure a spot in the final against the United States. Japan's solid performance, marked by key hits and strategic plays, earned them a chance to compete for the world title. "It was not easy," commented head coach Reika Utsugi, "but we got where we wanted to be."

World No. 3 Japan outscored No. 5 Canada 7-2 in the Super Round of the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024 on Friday, earning the right to compete for the world title against No. 1 USA on Saturday, July 20, in Castions di Strada in Italy.

"The trek leading us here was not easy," commented after the game head coach Reika Utsugi through an interpreter. "We have a lot of younger players, and we struggled at bat. Still, we got where we wanted to be, and I'm happy about that."

Utsugi added: "I felt we needed adjustments after the game with the United States. They have solid pitchers, so we needed to adjust. I'm confident we will take what we learned into tomorrow's game."

Larissa Franklin led off the top of the second with a base hit, becoming the first runner to reach base. Japan's starter, Miu Goto, retired the side to get out of the inning.

Eri Shimoyama led off the bottom half of the frame, getting to Canada's Dawn Bodrug with a base hit up the middle. Shiho Suto brought her to second with a one-out single, and Ayana Karoji followed with an RBI single to give Japan the lead. Yume Kirishi popped out to left field and Erika Polidori got Suto at the plate for a double play that ended the inning.

Kyoko Ishikawa and Hotaro Tsukamoto reached on back-to-back two-out singles in the bottom of the third. Bogrug struck out Shimoyama to end the threat.

Goto allowed Larissa Franklin a two-out walking, making her the second Canadian runner of the day. Franklin stole second, but Goto got out of the inning, retiring Janet Leung on a fly to right field.

Bodrug walked Yui Sakamoto to lead off the bottom of the fourth. Suto followed with an infield single, and Yume Kiriishi drove Bodrug's third pitch to left-centre for a deep one-out RBI single.

Bodrug walked the bases loaded. She got Nakagawa to pop out to left field for the second out. Ishikawa followed with a two-RBI single to extend Japan's lead to 4-0.

Tsukamoto looked at two balls, then drove Bodrug's third pitch deep into left-centre for a two-RBI double, breaking the score open to 6-0.

Katie Korstrom took over for Bodrug to get out of the inning.

Japan relieved Goto with Mio Sakamoto with runners at second and first and two outs in the top of the fifth. Kianna Jones put Canada on the scoreboard with a single to left field but became the third out trying to reach third.

Korstrom hit Sakamoto to lead off the bottom of the fifth. Japan's third baseman advanced on a sacrifice bunt, reached third on a wild pitch and scored on Karoji's squeeze play.

Larissa Franklin was the last Canadian player to give up. She hit an RBI double in the top of the second to cut the gap to 7-2.

Miu Goto had a considerable workload, pitching 17.2 innings, but she will start the World Championship final.

"I don't see a problem," commented Utsugi. "We prepared well to perform at this level. Goto knew she would need to work hard to get us to the final. I think it will be an important experience for the young player she still is."

When asked about relying on the short ball against USA, Utsugi stated, "Bunting and the running game are very important, but it will depend on the situation. We will try to adjust to the United States and the game's situations."